Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'm glad you like my story. - Tomb Raider X

Disclaimer: Again, I own nothing, except for my own creations.


Chapter Four

Strange Meetings and Discoveries

Arthur and the knights gazed in shock and surprise. Tári, Nessa and Merenwen stared at each other, in amazement.

"Tiriel, this is Arthur Castus and his Sarmatian knights, of Hadrian's Wall," the Bishop said; then climbed into the now-empty carriage.

Merenwen watched the exchange with interest. The knights were staring at Tiriel with a mixture of disbelief, excitement and apprehension. Arthur was looking at her with wonder and respect in his eyes.

Tiriel shifted and gave a slight nod of greeting to Arthur, before riding back to the low hill.

"You will have to forgive her, Commander Castus, she is not very sociable. She prefers to remain quiet and aloof," Tári said apologetically.

"It is no problem," Arthur replied, watching his knights mount their horses. "Would you ladies like to ride with my knights to Hadrian's Wall?"

The three looked at each other, and nodded. "That would be nice, thank you," Nessa said.

The three girls rode their horses over to the knights; who were mounted and waiting for them.

"Well, it is a pleasure to have such fine ladies riding with us. We are very lucky," the black-haired knight said.

Tári rode up alongside him. "And who might you be, sir knight?"

"Lancelot," he replied, kissing her hand, and smiled charmingly. Tári blushed slightly.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Lancelot. I am Tári."

"And what are your fine names, ladies?" Bors asked.

"I am Nessa."

"I am Meren."

"Pleasure to meet you," the blond knight replied. "I am Gawain, and this," he said, elbowing the young, curly-haired knight," is Galahad. The large, stocky one is Bors, and the large man is Dagonet. There is another in our company, but he is scouting. You will meet him before we reach the wall."

"Thank you, Sir Gawain," Nessa said.

Meren grinned. "I recognize you, Sir Galahad. You are the knight that Tiriel saved from getting sliced in half."

Galahad looked disturbed. "What do you mean, Lady Meren?"

"Tiriel entered the battle, and saw you fighting with a Woad. Then, she saw a Woad coming up behind you, ready to deliver the killing blow. She shot him in the throat with an arrow," Meren replied.

"Oh yes, now I remember. I must thank Lady Tiriel for saving my life," Galahad said.

The three girls glanced at each other. "Sir Galahad, I'm sure Tiriel won't mind you thanking her, but she will probably suffocate you, if you ever call her a lady," Nessa commented.

"One thing, that Tiriel is definitely not, is a lady," Tári said.

The knights laughed.

"I would like to talk to her sometime," Gawain said.

"She does not talk much. Even we do not have long conversations with her," Meren said, as the group started to ride.

The girls and the knights talked all the way to Hadrian's Wall. Halfway there, another knight joined them.

"Finally, you're here," Bors commented. "We want you to meet some people."

The knight nodded.

"Ladies," Bors said, grabbing the group's attention. "This is Tristan, the scout of our group. Tristan, this is Tári, Nessa and Meren."

The three girls smiled at Tristan. Tristan merely nodded back, as they reached the top of a hill. From the hill, they could see the fortress of Hadrian's Wall, as the carriage of Bishop Germanus rolled past the fields.

"Well, now that we're free men," Bors said, "I'm gonna drink 'till I can't piss straight."

"You do that every night," Gawain muttered, looking straight ahead as Nessa smiled.

"I could never piss straight," Bors replied. "Too much of myself to handle; down there."

Tári's horse snorted, and Meren and Nessa snickered.

"Well, it's a problem," Bors said, looking at everyone. "No really, it is. It's a problem. It's like…

"…a baby's arm holding an apple," the knights said in unison. The knights and girls laughed, and Arthur smiled. They rode down the road toward the fortress.

Nessa was telling Gawain a foolish story, as Bors and Galahad discussed something, when the group heard a horse riding up behind them. They looked behind them to see what it was.

Tiriel galloped past the knights and the girls to the front of the group; giving Nessa a stern look as she went past. Nessa laughed, and Tári and Meren smiled. Tiriel rode up to Arthur; who nodded his head at her, then stared at the fortress.

"So this is Hadrian's Wall."

Arthur jumped slightly, as she spoke. "You have a voice."

Tiriel smiled. "Of course I do. I just don't use it often."

Arthur smiled back. "So you're Sarmatian? My knights were quite shocked; as were your girls, I noticed."

"Yes. Tári, Nessa and Meren did not know I was Sarmatian. I did not discuss it with them because I was not ready to tell them."

"How long have you been their commander?" Arthur asked.

"Ten years. They will now receive their discharge," Tiriel replied.

"Don't they serve fifteen years, like the Sarmatians?" Arthur asked, confused.

"No. They only serve ten years."

Arthur nodded. "What about you?"

"I am scheduled to receive my discharge as well. I have served my 'fifteen' years to the Empire," Tiriel said cynically, then shook her head. "How many knights do you have?"

"At the beginning, there were over fifty knights. Now only six knights remain," Arthur said.

"Six? When I met you, there were only five knights," Tiriel replied.

Arthur shot her a baffled glance; then sighed. "Of course. I sent one of my knights to scout ahead. Would you like to meet him?"

Tiriel shrugged. "Why not?" She glanced back at the group of knights, half-listening to their conversation.

"I don't like it. Rome," Galahad said. "If he's here to discharge us, why doesn't he just give us our papers?"

"Is this your happy face?" Gawain asked, as Bors and Nessa laughed.

Galahad grinned, and Meren smiled.

"Galahad, do you still not know the Romans?" Gawain said. "They don't scratch their asses without holding a ceremony."

"Why don't you just kill him, and then discharge yourself after?" Bors asked.

"I don't kill for pleasure. Unlike some," Galahad said, looking pointedly at Tristan.

"Well, you should try it someday; you might get a taste for it," Tristan replied, smirking.

Gawain and the girls laughed.

"It's part of you," Bors said. "It's in your blood."

"N-no-no. No," Galahad replied. "As of tomorrow, this was all just a bad memory."

Nessa looked at Gawain. "Tiriel kills for pleasure. It really unnerves me sometimes; the look on Tiriel's face when she kills someone. No remorse, no guilt," Nessa said, and shuddered.

Tristan's head snapped up to look at Nessa. "Who's Tiriel?"

Before Nessa could reply, Arthur's voice drifted over to the group. "Tristan!"

Nessa shrugged, as Tristan rode up to Arthur. "Yes, Arthur?"

"How did your scouting go?" Arthur asked.

"Fine," Tristan replied. "What's the problem?"

"Tristan, I would like you to meet Tiriel of Sarmatia," Arthur said, gesturing to his right.

Tristan looked at the young woman next to Arthur. Surprise hit him, but he showed no discomposure.

"Tiriel, this is Tristan, one of my Sarmatian knights."

Tiriel smiled slightly, and raised her hand in greeting. Tristan nodded to her and Arthur; then stopped his horse to wait for the others.

"I've often thought what going home would mean after all this," Gawain said. "What will I do? It's different for Galahad. I have been in this life longer than the other. So much for home – it's not so clear in my memory."

"Well, you speak for yourself- it's cold back there. And everybody I know is dead and buried," Bors replied. "Besides, I have, I think, a dozen children."

"Eleven," Gawain corrected, as Nessa rolled her eyes.

"You listen, when the Romans leave here, we'll have the run of all this place," Bors said. "I'll be... governor of my own village, and Dagonet will be my personal guard and royal arse-kisser, won't you, Dag?"

Dagonet, who rode next to Tári, looked away. Tári smiled and elbowed him.

"First thing I will do when I get home is to find myself a beautiful Sarmatian woman to wed," Gawain said wistfully.

"A beautiful Sarmatian woman?" Bors asked. "Why do you think we left in the first place?"

Gawain smirked, as Bors mooed loudly. The other knights started to laugh.

"That's highly offensive," Meren remarked. "Tiriel is Sarmatian, and I think she's very attractive. Though none of you stand a chance with her. She'd be more likely to stab you then to kiss you."

"Don't be so sure," Lancelot said. "She hasn't seen my charm yet."

Bors laughed. "What about you, Lancelot? What are your plans for home?"

"Well, if this woman of Gawain's is as beautiful as he claims, I expect to be spending a lot of time at Gawain's house," Lancelot replied. "His wife will welcome the company." "I see. Then what will I be doing?" Gawain asked suspiciously. "Wondering at your good fortune that all your children look like me," Lancelot replied cockily. Bors laughed. "Is that before or after I hit you with my axe?" Gawain muttered.

Bors continued to laugh, as the three girls giggled.

Tristan let out a long whistle. A hawk appeared in the sky and landed on his left arm.

"Where you been, eh? Where you been?" Tristan said, stroking the hawk's feathers.

Lancelot rode up to Arthur and Tiriel. "Are you well, Tiriel of Sarmatia?"

Tiriel glanced at him. "I do not believe we have met, sir knight."

"This is Lancelot, my right-hand man," Arthur said. Tiriel smirked.

"I have heard of you, Sir Lancelot. People say you are a formidable warrior, and that your fighting skills are only rivalled by your reputation as a womanizer," Tiriel said.

Lancelot's jaw dropped, as he tried to think of something to say.

"I observe that you wish to speak to Artorius, so I will leave you to your discussion. I must speak with Bishop Germanus," Tiriel said, and left.

She rode towards the carriage where the Bishop was resting in. As she passed the knights, Galahad elbowed Gawain. "Look at her face," he whispered to Gawain.

Gawain looked at Tiriel, and his eyes widened. On her cheeks were two tattoos, identical to Tristan's. He lent over and whispered to Dagonet and Bors, who both gave Gawain a bewildered look after they had glanced at Tiriel.

Galahad nudged Tristan. "Tristan, did you see Tiriel's face?"

Tristan glanced at Tiriel for a moment; then looked back again when he saw the tattoos. His eyes narrowed as she rode past; then he returned his gaze to his hawk, though his mind dwelt on the strange happenstance.

Lancelot watched Tiriel ride off; then turned to Arthur. "What will you do, Arthur, when you return to your beloved Rome?"

"Give thanks to God that I survived to see it," Arthur replied solemnly.

Lancelot smiled. "You and your God. You disturb me."

"I want peace, Lancelot. I've had enough," Arthur said. "You should visit me."

"Tah," Lancelot said, looking away.

"It's a magnificent place, Rome," Arthur said, smiling. "Ordered, civilized, advanced…"

"A breeding ground of arrogant fools?" Lancelot interjected.

"The greatest minds of all the land have come together in one sacred place to help make mankind free," Arthur replied, smiling.

"…And the women?" Lancelot asked, cheekily.

Arthur and Lancelot laughed. As they reached the gate, Tiriel joined them. Soldiers opened the heavy gate, as a crowd gathered to see the commotion. They rode through the streets to a courtyard; where their horses stood in a line as the Bishop's carriage rolled in. A man walked up to Arthur's horse, and took the reins as Arthur dismounted.

"Welcome back, Arthur," the man said, as Tiriel dismounted.

"Jols," Arthur replied.

"Lancelot," Jols said, nodding.

The rest of the knights and the three girls dismounted. Tiriel, with horse in tow, stood next to Arthur.

"Bishop, please," Arthur said, "My quarters have been made available to you."

"Yes, I must rest," Bishop Germanus replied, glancing at Tiriel. Tiriel returned the look stoically; then looked around the courtyard.

A red-haired woman walked up to Bors and slapped him harshly. "Where've you been? I've been waiting for you!"

Bors groaned. "Oh, my little fire…such passion." He grabbed her, and kissed her aggressively, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Tiriel smirked, and rolled her eyes.

Bors released the woman and looked around. "Where's my Gilly?" He picked up a dark-haired boy. "Gilly. You've been fighting?"

"Yes," the boy replied.

"You've been winning?" Bors asked.

"Yes."

"That's my boy," Bors said, tapping Gilly's chin. "Come on, all my other bastards."

The horde of children around Bors cheered and followed him, the red-haired woman following.

Tiriel turned her gaze back to Arthur, who was conversing quietly with Lancelot, as Tári, Nessa and Meren walked up to her. Arthur turned to Tiriel. "Lancelot will show you and the ladies to some rooms in the same part of the fort as the other knights. The stable boys will take care of your horses. Supper will be held later; one of the knights can show you to the hall."

Tiriel nodded her head in thanks; then she and the girls followed Lancelot.


Tiriel sat in a chair on the balcony, watching the villagers go about their business. After a while, she got up and washed her face in the basin next to her bed. She took off her metal-ringed jerkin and placed it on the table with her sword. She put on a high-collared and long-sleeved, olive-green tunic and tied a leather belt around her waist. She kept her daggers in her boots.

As she re-tied her glove on her left hand, a loud knock resounded on her door. She smoothed her tunic down, and called "Enter!"

The door opened and a tall, bald man with a scar next to his left eye walked in. "Good evening, Commander Tiriel," the man said. "I am Dagonet. I am here to escort you to the fortress hall."

"Thank you, Sir Dagonet," Tiriel said, as they left her room and walked towards the hall.

"The young ladies have already been shown to the hall, Commander Tiriel," Dagonet said.

"Sir Dagonet, you do not need to call me 'Commander'. Tiriel will suffice," Tiriel remarked.

"In that case, I would prefer just 'Dagonet', if you don't mind," Dagonet replied, with a smile.

"That is fine…Dagonet," Tiriel said, smiling back.


Tiriel drank deeply from her goblet as Tári, Nessa, Merenwen and the knights laughed about something. The Bishop's aide entered and gazed at the round table with a bewildered expression.

"His Eminence, Bishop Gnaeus Germanus."

Arthur, Tiriel, the knights, and Tári, Nessa, and Merenwen stood up. The Bishop entered the hall with a cheerful smile plastered on his face, but it faded at the sight of the round table.

"A round table? What sort of evil is this?" the Bishop's aide whined. Tiriel snickered quietly into her goblet.

"Arthur says for men to be men, they must first all be equal," Jols said, matter-of-factly.

"I was given to understand there would be more of you," the Bishop said, slightly annoyed.

"There were," Arthur replied. "We have been fighting here for fifteen years."

"Of course," the Bishop said, lifting a gold goblet out of a platter, while a servant walked around the table, handing one to each of the knights and the young women; then one to Arthur and Tiriel.

"Arthur and his knights have served with courage to maintain the honour of Rome's empire on this last outpost of our glory," the Bishop said. "Rome is most indebted. To you, noble knights, your final days as servants to the Empire."

"Day," Lancelot said, looking up from his goblet. "Not days."

Tiriel flashed a suspicious look at the Bishop, who just smiled and sat down. Arthur, Tiriel, the young women and the knights sat back down, all looking at the Bishop.

"The Pope's taken a personal interest in you," the Bishop said. "He inquires after each of you, and is curious to know if your knights have toward our Saviour, or…"

"They retain the religion of their forefathers," Arthur cut in. "I've never questioned that."

"Oh…of course," the Bishop said, distastefully. "They are pagans."

Galahad and the other knights shifted uneasily. Tiriel watched the Bishop carefully, her suspicion slowly rising.

"For our part, the church has deemed such beliefs innocence," the Bishop said. "But you, Arthur? Your path to God is through Pelagius? I saw his image in your room."

"He took my father's place for me," Arthur replied. "His teachings on free will and equality have been of great influence. I look forward to our reunion in Rome.""Ah… Rome awaits your arrival with great anticipation! You are a hero," the Bishop said happily. "In Rome, you will live out your days in honour. And wealth."

Lancelot glanced at Tiriel, a disgusted look on his face. Tiriel took a drink from her goblet.

"Alas," the Bishop sighed. "Alas, we are all but players in an ever-changing world. Barbarians from every corner are almost at Rome's door."

The Bishop's aide placed a long wooden box at the Bishop's side. Tiriel watched the knights.

"Because of this, Rome, and the Holy Father, have decided to remove ourselves from indefensible outposts, such as Britain," the Bishop said, carefully setting the box in front of him.

The knights all stood, staring at the Bishop, their faces confused.

"What will become of Britain is not our concern anymore," the Bishop said, opening the box. "I suppose the Saxons will claim it soon."

"Saxons?" Arthur asked."Yes," the Bishop replied. "In the north, a massive Saxon incursion has begun."

"Saxons only claim what they kill," Lancelot said. "And only kill everything," Gawain muttered.

"So," Galahad said, "you'll just... leave the land to the Woads. I risked my life for nothing."

"Gentlemen," the Bishop said, with a strenuous smile. "Your discharge papers with safe conduct throughout the Roman Empire. But first, I must have a word with your commander."

The knights remained standing, watching the Bishop warily.

"In private," the Bishop said.

"We have no secrets," Arthur said.

The Bishop slammed the box lid shut, staring at the knights.

"Come," Lancelot said, taking a sip from his goblet. "Let's leave Roman business to Romans."

The knights all started to follow Lancelot, as Tári, Nessa and Meren stood and began following the knights.

"What about the discharge for Tári, Nessa and Meren?"

Tiriel's voice cut through the strained silence. The knights and young women turned and watched the Bishop, as the Bishop stood and faced Tiriel. Arthur watched Tiriel carefully, who remained seated.

"I will speak with you after I speak with Arthur," the Bishop said. "I will send a servant to fetch you."

Tiriel nodded and stood. She walked past the knights and Tári, Nessa and Meren, leaving the hall.


Gawain chucked a knife at a wooden board, watching as it landed near the top. He and Galahad, who were extremely drunk, started laughing. Tári rolled her eyes at the two of them.

Across the courtyard, Lancelot loses in a game of dice to a Roman soldier. The soldier proceeded to collect his winnings. Lancelot whipped out his dagger and stuck it into the table. "Best of three," Lancelot said to the solider.

Bors rocked his newest baby gently, watching the other knights laughing and having fun in the courtyard.

"Who wants another drink?" Bors's wife, Vanora asked.

Lancelot grabbed Vanora by the waist pulled her onto his lap. Vanora rolled her eyes.

"When are you going to leave Bors and come home with me, huh?" Lancelot asked Vanora, trying to kiss her neck.

Vanora slapped Lancelot across the face. "My lover is watching you," she said, through gritted teeth.

"Let her go, Lancelot," a voice said, and Tiriel stepped into view from the shadows. Lancelot let go of Vanora, and she went back to the bar. Tiriel raised an eyebrow at Lancelot, and retreated back into the shadows.

Tiriel leant against a wooden beam, watching Galahad and Gawain carefully. As a little boy ran past her, she grabbed him by the shirt. The little boy looked up at her, fearfully.

"Can you get me an apple from the bar?" Tiriel asked quietly. The little boy disappeared for a moment; then returned with an apple and handed it to Tiriel. She drew her dagger and began to eat it, then looked around the courtyard. She spotted the knight, Tristan, sitting behind Galahad and Gawain, also eating an apple.

She studied him carefully. "It has to be him, it has to be," Tiriel thought, her eyes travelling over his face, tracing the tattoos with her eyes.

Tristan took a bite from his apple, listening to Gawain and Galahad laughing. He suddenly felt a gaze on him, and raised his head. His eyes locked with that woman, Tiriel's gaze. Her gaze continued to look him in the eyes, never wavering. A strange feeling began to surface. He felt like he knew this silent woman, like he had known for many years.

The stare down was interrupted as Tiriel watched Galahad throw a knife at the board. It landed relatively in the centre, and Gawain blew a raspberry at Galahad, who glared at Gawain, making Nessa laugh.

Tiriel returned her gaze to Tristan and raised her eyebrow, fiddling with her dagger. Tristan stood and came up behind Galahad, throwing his dagger at the board. The blade buried itself in the hilt of Galahad's knife.

"Tristan…" Galahad began.

"How do you do that?" Gawain asked, flabbergasted.

"I aim for the middle," Tristan said, pointing with his apple in hand. Tiriel smirked quietly.

"Tiriel!" Meren yelled. "Show Gawain and Galahad your skill. Show them you can do the same."

Tiriel remained where she was, watching Gawain and Galahad look around. Tristan turned to look at her, his gaze silently challenging her. Tiriel threw her apple core into the gutter, and emerged from the shadows, dagger in her left hand.

"There you are, Tiriel!" Nessa exclaimed from where she was sitting on Gawain's lap. "Show the knights your throwing skill."

Tiriel sauntered over to where Tristan was standing and took a gulp of his ale. She tossed the knife in the air; then turned and threw it as it landed in her hand. The blade of her dagger wedged itself in the hilt of Tristan's dagger.

Whistles and shouts of approval came from around the courtyard, as Tiriel walked up and removed her dagger and Tristan's dagger from the board. She returned Tristan's dagger to him, and sheathed her dagger in her boot.

A servant rushed up to Tiriel. "Commander Tiriel, the Bishop wishes to speak with you."

Tiriel nodded to the knights and left the courtyard.


There it is, the fourth chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. Please R/R- Tomb Raider X