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. Oh, and Brenna means raven, Eirwen means white snow and Sibyl means prophetess.
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY – I came up with that idea while I was making breakfast and just had to put it in. I just thought it would help to make Tristan more dimensional. You have the stone cold killer, and the gentle father, all in the same person. Glad you liked it too. Thanks for the review.
Lucillaq – Thank you for your kind words. I liked telling Lancelot off too. Not because I don't love him, cause I do like I love all the knights, but just cause he deserved it. Thanks for the review.
Op – LOL! You made me laugh so thank you so much for that. I'm sorry I can't update faster, but sadly, I can only type so quickly. Thank you so much for the review.
Dw – Glad you like Tristan in this story. I'm trying to keep him true to the movie, but also tailor it to him. Thanks for the review.
Tracy137 – Keep him alive and get her pregnant huh? Well, I think I addressed that part in the email. Glad you liked the part with the kids. It was my favorite part to write. (Even if it is filler!) And never fear, Cornell will die, that I promise you. You know, you're the only one who noticed the little game at the beginning, and I thank you for it. I just figured, that let's face it with those guys; Dag would get the task in the end. Tell your dogs I'm sorry I made you disturb them. (Glad I made you laugh though!) Yeah, poor Arthur. He's just has to know everything doesn't he? Poor baby.
TriGemini – Yeah, poor Arthur. Sucks to be the commander. I just figured he was the best one to tell. And yeah, Tristan is none to happy about what was done to Ana and will be even less so when he realized who Marius really is. It should all be very interesting. I've started writing it, but even I'm not sure how it's going to turn out. Thanks for the review. I love new faces, but familiar ones are even better. :)
Cardeia – Yeah, I love Lance, but he just needed a little of his own medicine after that. I agree with you there. Nothing hotter than a big old tough guy turned to mush at the hands of a baby. (One of the reasons I loved the Pacifier.) Thank you again for the review. I love repeat customers.
Lunawolf – Once again I am awe at your knowledge. I am truly impressed and that's not an easy thing to do when it comes to torture devices. So I must take the time now to Thank you so very much for reading my story. I enjoy your reviews a great deal, and don't mind that most of them involve torture techniques. (That's what makes them better than some of the others.) You get a little bit of suffering in this chapter, so enjoy it. I plan on dragging it out for a bit.
ElvenStar5 – Actually I meant man's shirt. I was tired and my brain not functioning as properly as normal…well it never really functions properly but what are ya gonna do? Thanks for the review. Love new faces. And don't worry; it won't be what you could call a quick death.
KAfan – Thank you so much for your review. I think Roxana's pretty good for him to, but I am openly biased. Thanks again for the review, and I love new faces turning into familiar ones!
FlamezBlaze1– Glad to hear it! I'm updating as fast as I can I swear! Thanks for the review.
Texasgrrl – Glad you like it. And yeah, I just figured that would be something Bors would tell his kids. It might have helped that I was watching the movie when I wrote it though. Thanks for the review.
Chapter Nine: The Fort
Vanora didn't know how she was doing it, but she managed at the tavern, her heart and mind with the knights in the north. "They want more," she said to one of the other girls, pausing at the bar.
"I'll get it Van," she smiled, taking the tray. "You have a break eh?"
Vanora nodded gratefully, moving around the bar to get a glass of water. She hated when the knights and Bors were gone. The Romans acted as if they owned the place then, and didn't care what they grabbed that didn't belong to them. Not much different, she supposed, than the acts of Rome itself. She sighed and brought the cup to her lips, about to drink when her eyes caught three hooded, cloaked figures in the corner. They had been there for a long while now, the same mugs of ale in front of them, all full as they watched everyone. For a brief moment she wondered if they were Saxon spies and feared for the children and her man.
"Van, can you take this to the back for me?" Gabriella, one of the other girls, a favorite of both Gawain and Galahad asked, handing her some trash.
"Aye, I could use some fresh air," Vanora stated, drinking her water quickly before taking the trash out to the back.
The alley was dark and for a moment Vanora whished she hadn't been so quick to volunteer. A chill ran down her back and she looked around. It seemed almost too quiet.
"Ugh, get a hold of yourself lass," she scolded, shaking her head. "Turn into a bleeding git every time your man is away from the wall," she walked over and threw the trash into the pile and turned, running smack into a mans chest.
She went to scream when a hand clamped over her mouth. "Easy Van, no need for a scene," he said easily. She immediately knew the voice and pulled herself quickly from his grasp. "What is it?"
"Nothing Cornell, Bors is just jealous and if this got back to him, I'd pity us both," she covered, trying to hide her anger. If only she had something to bash against his skull. "Yer late gettin' back," she said, smoothing her dress.
"Was held up," he answered, smiling charmingly. It made Vanora want to puke. "So where is everyone?" he asked nonchalantly.
"North. They had a final mission for Rome," Vanora replied, eyeing him closely.
"North eh? Saxons are north," he replied, looking around.
"Why don't you go help then. I'm sure Tristan would appreciate a friend like yourself watching his back," Vanora almost growled at him. What was he looking for?
"Well, I'm sure Ana's doing that just fine," Cornell said, turning back to Van and drawing his blade, admiring it in the moonlight. "She did come here after all did she not? She is with them?"
Vanora backed up slowly. "If that's so, why are you stupid enough to come back here?" she asked, beginning to panic as she felt the wall behind her. She looked up into his eyes and saw the madness there, and a new fear gripped her heart. What would the big lug do without her?
"To leave them all a present," he grinned. "And to collect what should be mine. Is she here? Or did she ride out with that piece of filth she calls husband?"
"How would I know?" Vanora answered, defiant to the end, her hands shaking in fear as she glared at him.
"Talk wench!" Cornell bellowed, about to strike her when an arrow flew, piercing him through the hand. He screamed and backed away from Vanora, dropping his blade.
Vanora quickly looked in the direction the arrow had traveled from to see the three-cloaked figures from earlier, the tallest one lowering their bow.
"Apologize to the lady Cornell," a sugary sweet voice stated, obviously female as one of the shorter ones walked forward, drawing a sword similar to Tristan and Roxana's, from her waist.
"It cannot be," Cornell stammered, clutching his injured left hand to him as he tried to crawl away, only hitting the wall that Vanora had just been pushed against.
"I said apologize," she growled and slapped him hard upside the back of the head, causing him to groan as the side of his head made contact with the wall.
"It serves you right!" Van said, kicking him hard in the ribs. "And when my Bors finds out about this, you'll have two men and the brood to answer to!"
"We cannot kill him then Bren," the one who shot him spoke, also female. She stepped forward and pulled her cloak hood down, revealing long raven black hair, pale skin and brown eyes, a scar over her left eyebrow. Her face was emotionless as she paused next to Vanora, a Sarmatian bow in her hand.
"Pity, and I so wanted to make him suffer a bit," Bren replied, pushing back her hood and revealing her own silky black hair falling in waves, and a pair of deep chocolate brown eyes as well, her skin a rich tanned color, smiling with false innocence. The third girl lowered her cloak; revealing brown hair, in soft curls, several braids spread throughout and pale skin as well, familiar chocolate eyes staring coldly at the man on the floor, her face emotionless as well.
Vanora looked in them in shock as Bren continued to speak. "So, from what I here, you've been being a very naughty man," she cooed, examining her blade. Then, in a swift motion she brought the hilt connecting with the side of his face, sending his head back hard into the wall. "Brought shame to your father and your people."
He groaned in pain and spit blood. "How would you know?"
"She is not called Sibyl for naught," Bren grinned.
"Besides, when one lives as extravagantly as you have been, it makes them easy to find," the archer stated. "Especially when they like to brag to Roman officers."
"Let me slit his throat," Bren said, placing her blade against Cornell's throat, drawing blood to the surface.
"No," the other finally spoke, stepping forward, her voice soft and even. "Tristan and Roxana would be displeased. Especially as he has yet to pay for all his crimes."
"Fine," Bren growled, rising the tip of her blade resting on his Addams apple. "What shall we do with him then?"
"The prison is not far from here," Vanora spoke up. "And one of the soldiers owes my man a favor."
"What kind of favor?" the soft-spoken one asked turning to Vanora.
"He let him live after he struck one of our boys," Vanora replied.
"Good enough," Bren said as the archer pulled a pair of Roman cuffs from her belt and threw them to her.
"Don't be too gentle," she warned as Bren pulled Cornell's arms roughly behind him and cuffed them together.
"Don't insult me," Bren replied with a grin, forcing the arrow from his hand, without breaking off the tips, causing him to scream in agony.
"Wait here," Vanora said, rushing off and returning not long after with two of the guards.
"You don't do it and Arthur will have your pay, and Tristan and my Bors will have your heads," she was saying.
"Alright Vanora, alright," the one grumbled, hauling Cornell to his feet. "Wait a moment, this is Cornell, doesn't he owe you money?" he asked his companion.
"Aye he does that," his friend grinned, grabbing Cornell's other arm and giving it a squeeze.
"Whatever you do, keep him alive until they return," Vanora said, stomping Cornell's foot hard.
"Other than that have fun," Bren stated grinning. The archer sent her a disapproving look. "What?" she asked innocently.
"Don't you worry Vanora, got a nice little crate for the likes of him," the guard grinned as they began dragging Cornell towards the prison, groaning in agony as the blood dripped from his hand.
"So who am I thanking for my life?" Vanora asked, turning to stare at the three women.
"I'm Brenna, and this is Eirwen and Sibyl," Bren spoke, indicating the archer and then the brown haired girl. "We are here in search of someone."
"Tristan and Roxana right? I got that much out of the conversation," Van said, crossing her arms. "How do you know them?"
"They are our kin," Eirwen replied, swinging her bow over her shoulder.
Vanora paused for a moment when realization suddenly dawned on her. "Oh I can be so daft," she slapped her forehead. "Ana told me of you all. You and Brenna are sisters to her, and Sibyl is sister to Tristan right?"
"Aye," Sibyl replied. "Now please, where are my brother and his wife?"
"Sadly north of the wall on one last mission for those bastard Romans," Vanora spat, glaring at the Bishop who happened to be stumbling out of the tavern at that moment, his arm around one of the barmaids. "My man is with them, as are the rest of the knights."
"Why are they north?" Brenna asked. "From what we here, the Woads control that area."
"Saving some Roman nobleman and his family from the Saxons that have stationed up there," Van replied as they began to walk back towards the tavern.
The three women exchanged a look but said nothing. From what they had been able to learn about Cornell and their sister upon coming to this isle, there was only one man in the north, and that was where Cornell had collected his fortune. "When are they due back?" Eirwen asked.
"If only I knew," Van sighed. "Hopefully soon though," she added, walking off towards the bar.
"Shall we wait here then or go after them?" Brenna asked, looking towards Sibyl, as did Eirwen.
"We wait. They must return upon a different path, and it would be best to stay here," she answered after a moment. "Gather our strength for what is to come." They had sat back at a table, the favorite of the knights, and Vanora had returned with some mugs of ale.
"And how do you know all that lass?" Van asked, sitting next to Eirwen.
"She was training to be a Priestess for our tribe," Brenna said proudly, taking the mug and a long swig.
"She was blessed with vision," Eirwen added softly.
"Is that so?" Vanora asked. "I've never met a Priestess before."
Sibyl smiled at Vanora. "Well, I am no Priestess yet, and do not know that I will still want to be one after we return."
"Does Tristan have the vision too?" Van asked, leaning forward.
"Nay, but our mamma's mamma did," Sibyl said, drinking the ale and making a face, placing it back on the table. "Is there anywhere we can sleep? Besides the stables, that is."
"Aye, I'm sure we can put you in the knights rooms until they return," Van stated. "Let me just tell some of the girls I'm leaving," she rose and headed over to where the other maids were congregated near the bar.
"Are you sure they do not need our help?" Brenna asked, lowering her voice.
"You said that they would need us in the north," Eirwen agreed.
"Yes, but this was before when Ana was not with them," Sibyl replied. "I can see her turning the tide now. We must be patient. The true battle is yet to come and we will all need our strength for it. Besides, if this family they have gone to rescue is so important, how do you think we will get to them?"
"She's right Bren. The Saxon's are pigs, but good warriors. How would we attack?" Eirwen asked.
"Cutting off all means of escape," Brenna sighed, glaring at the mug. "I just hate waiting especially for a fight!"
"Never fear my sisters," Sibyl said smiling. "Our time will come."
Authors Note: Not what everyone was expecting huh? Well, I know this may seem out of place, but I have plans, trust me. It will all come to play eventually. And hey, they have Cornell. I just couldn't see him waiting with Marius for them. Besides, this way, you guys get two death scenes. Hope you all still like this.