Disclaimer: I am poor and own nothing. And because I'm poor, this is my only source of entertainment, so please do not sue.
Authors Note: This story is dedicated to Tracy137. I hope none of the knights seem out of character in this. It's hard cause you don't see a lot of any of them alone. I figured Dag would talk more to Bors then he normally does though. Hope you guys continue to like it. And thank you so much to everyone who reviewed.
Tracy137 – Since you want him dead, then I suppose he will be. Darn. NOT. Gladly and consider it done. He is a bit of a bastard isn't he? Sadly, you don't need to do any research cause I can come up with many different, painful ways to die. Although feel free to make any suggestions. And you are not too wordy! I told you I would hear naught else negative about your writing. It got me through this last semester. And don't worry, he will not be getting busy with anyone but her. Mostly cause I'm the one who's writing the story. I explain why kind in this actually. Thanks for the spelling of her name. I went to the Internet Movie Database, but probably copied it wrong. I tend to do that. I didn't know you were that vindictive and blood thirsty, but am glad there is someone else I have that in common with. I hope you still like it.
immortalwizardpirateelf-fan – Yes, yes he is. Especially once Tristan sees her. Glad you're as excited about his impending demise as I am.
Priestess of the Myrmidon – Glad you like it. Hope you continue to do so.
Gondorian Archer – I'll try my best to update it pretty regularly. Operative word being try.
FlamezBlaze1 – Hope you like this chapter as much.
Just a fan – Oh good, I hate him too. I love creating characters like him though, cause then you can inflict all kinds of pain on them when you have a bad day and everyone loves you for it.
:op – I must agree, a bloody painful death shall be in order. And I love the way you think. They can bond while killing him. I'll definitely take it into consideration. Thanks for reviewing.
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY – Wow, all caps lock always makes me happy. Glad you like it so far.
Miggyrow – Glad you like it so far. And Roxana. I'm sorta partial to her myself.
Chapter Three: Lost and Found
"He's quiet," Dagonet said as he hauled his horse's saddle from the beast and onto the ground. "Even for him."
"Probably just upset cause he's got to go off with that Roman trash to track those damn Woads," Bors reasoned.
"It started before that," Dag stated.
"Then it's probably just excitement about our papers comin' in the next month," Bors said, rubbing his horse affectionately on the muzzle. "Bein' a free man again."
"Doesn't act like a man excited about being free. He hasn't been the same since that friend of his came by," Dag persisted as he began brushing down his own animal. "Even in the field he's been different. He's not letting the fighters come to him anymore. He's seeking them out, like he's looking for death."
"Ah you think to much," Bors muttered. "Tristan's just Tristan. I'd worry more if he starts drinking regularly and bedding the bar maids. Then we'll know he's been around Lancelot too long."
Dag let out a sigh and patted his horse. Bors was right, he did think too much, but he was worried about his brother. It was as if a part of Tristan had died the day Cornell showed up, and what was worse is the Scout wouldn't tell anyone why.
"Come on ya big oaf, we got plans ta make," Bors stated, closing the stall doors. "Like where you're going to put my throne."
"Up your ass?"
"Yer a funny one ain't ya?" Bors stated grinning broadly, slapping Dag upside the back of the head as they made their way towards the Tavern.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"They're tracking us," Tristan stated lowly, causing several of the Roman guards in front of him to jump in fright. Normally he would have smirked at this, but he was more interested in getting this mission over with as fast as possible.
"Bloody hell," one of them breathed, crossing himself. "Can't you make some noise or something?"
"No," Tristan replied walking over to the commander. "If you lead them down that path, I should be able to sneak up behind them."
"And then what huh? There's at least fifteen of the bastards," one of the soldiers scoffed, elbowing his comrades.
"Kill them," was the simple reply.
The way he said it, so easily that they all knew he meant it, sent a chill around the group.
The commander looked at the scout for a moment and sighed. He wasn't used to his men acting as his equal. In fact, it unnerved him a great deal, especially the lack of respect that Tristan showed him, considering he was much higher in rank that the Sarmatian slave could ever dream of being, but Arthur had warned him that if Tristan made a suggestion is should be heeded. Still, it was against his better judgment to do so.
"Very well, ride ahead and double back behind us," he sighed as the deadly man was already on his way to his horse. "Men, lets move out."
"I can't wait until this mission is over, he heard one of his men whisper. "That bloody Sarmatian pig scares the shit out of me."
His commander couldn't agree more.
Once alone again, Tristan kept his senses alert while his mind began to wander. It had been two months since he had been told the news, and Cornell had been hanging around the fort quite a bit, not making it any easier. It pained Tristan to look at his old childhood companion and automatically think of Roxana. She'd never liked Cornell and had never tried to hide the fact, which made the fact that he had been the one to come and tell Tristan of her death very odd. One of her sisters yes, even his own, but Cornell? Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that Cornell, like so many other men in their village had been in love with her. But then, she'd never noticed them for her eyes had always been on him. He looked up to the sky and could see how clear and blue it was, just like her eyes, a smile gracing his face for the first time in a long time as he watched the clouds roll by. She had loved to watch the clouds, making pictures out of them as they lay in the grass after a hunt. Everyday he had been with her he had thanked whatever Gods had been listening for her love. It was unwavering and pure, just as his would always be for her.
He noticed his hawk flying high gave a whistle, which brought the creature down to his arm. "Notice anything eh?" he asked feeding her some food before sending her back to the air above.
He turned his attention back to the trail, deciding now was as good a place as any to get behind them, and did so, first readying an arrow into his bow and shooting the scout that had been trailing him through the eye. As he made his way back behind the group he began to wonder if maybe he'd take Lancelot's advice upon returning and bed one of the bar maids. As soon as he thought it though he knew he would not. He had vowed to her no other woman would know his bed and he planed to hold true to that. Even if she was dead he would not break that promise.
He spurred his horse a little faster, eager to get this task done, and away from the Romans that he blamed for taking her from him in the first place.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"Think of it Gawain, in a month we will be free men," Galahad went on as they patrolled the perimeter of the fort, heading in the direction of Baden Hill. Usually this was what Tristan did every morning, but since he was off with the Roman battalion, they were given the assignment.
"So I hear," Gawain smirked at his friend's enthusiasm. For the last half year it had been all he had heard about from the young knight.
"Then we can return home, and find two stunning Sarmatian sisters to wed, and our children will play together," Galahad went on. "And we will become the two old men, speaking of the good old days when we were brave knights and boring the children of the village."
"So long as Lancelot does not live nearby," Gawain stated, as both men smirked.
Galahad went to speak again when Gawain noticed something near the graveyard. "Look yonder," he said nudging his brother and indicating a large brown mass, which an even larger black stallion kept nudging with his nose.
"What is that?" Galahad asked as he rode quickly behind Gawain, who had already started for the figure.
"I do not know, but I mean to find out," Gawain called back, reaching the bottom of the hill where it lay. He dismounted quickly and strolled over, watching as the horse regarded him coolly before rearing back. "Easy boy," he soothed, admiring the beautiful animal. "I just want to help."
Galahad had joined them by then and dismounted as well. "Get his reins Gal," Gawain stated as he knelt next to the figure and moved the cloak, Galahad moving to subdue the animal. As soon as Gawain moved the cover from the creatures face he regretted it as he sucked in his breath. He had been a knight four fifteen years and seen many horrific things in that time, but what had been done to this poor woman was almost more than he could handle.
Her face was covered in blood, from the many wounds covering her forehead and near her eyes that had opened along her journey and her eyes were swollen, the skin around them black and blue, her long black hair matted with blood. Her lower lip was split and bleeding freely and from the looks of it, her nose could very well be broken.
"What is it?" Galahad asked, noting the look of disgust on Gawain's face.
"A woman. She has been beaten badly," he stated as he shook his head and continued to check her, thanking the Goddess that she was still breathing. "It appears that she finally just fell off the horse," he stated feeling along her side and finding several broken ribs. Looking at her right hand he noticed the wrist was bent oddly. "She's got a few broken ribs and her wrist as well," he looked up at Galahad. "This is bad brother."
"I'll ride ahead and inform Dag," Galahad stated leading the horse over to his own and tying its reins off to the saddle.
"Help me load her first," Gawain said, lifting her into his arms, shocked at how light she was, and walking towards his horse. Galahad joined him and took the girl into his own arms, trying to suppress the bile that rose in his throat as he looked at her, tears stinging his eyes at the obvious pain she had endured.
Gawain mounted quickly and held his hands down for the girl. Galahad lifted her up and in a flash was on his horse and riding towards the fort, Gawain moving slower, trying not to jar her. She stirred slightly and let out a moan, but did not waken and he was unable to make out what it was she had said as he rode towards the town.
"Hold on lady, help awaits you," he whispered, hoping that they made it there in time.