Before You Go…
Chapter 1
Tristan paused as he heard the men about him speaking, telling of the return of the former knights and the coming of the Romans for the new boys. He knew very well he was the one of which they spoke, his father had once been a knight, and now it would be his turn.
He turned around and walked toward the only home behind him still lit by a lantern. He ignored the questioning glances sent his way by the people that even noticed him. They thought it odd that a boy of 18 would be allowed to wonder the village in the middle of the night without some work to do.
What they did not know was that, in his own mind, he did have work to do. His mind had immediately turned to the sun tattoo on her left shoulder, the braids she had put in his hair for him the summer before. He couldn't leave without at the very least speaking to her again.
Douma sat in the chair she had fallen asleep in, her head tilted against the back and the dress she had been mending in her lap. She blinked at the candle as the flame flickered, realizing how late it must have been for so much of the wax to be gone. She lifted her head and pulled the neck of the dress she wore toward her neck, covering her tattoo.
"It is late."
She turned to find a hand covering her mouth and Tristan's finger pressed to his lips. "We have no time, I will ask you once and only once. Will you come with me, now?"
She starred into his dark eyes for a moment before nodding. When he released her mouth she stood quietly, "Tristan…." 'Tell him.'
She paused and stared at his back as he worked his way to the trunk of the tree beyond the shutters. "Come." He said, holding out his hand to help her through.
She reached out and took his hand.
He reached up to help her to the ground as she jumped down beside him. "Where are we going?" She asked quietly, looking somewhat worried.
"Do you want to walk by the river tonight?" He asked, glancing at a small dog that he guessed looked cleaner then he did, even in this light.
"I am to follow you tonight, remember?" She said with a slight smile, pushing her hair out of her face as she walked. She stepped up on a log and held out her hands, balancing herself as she walked along it.
He stared after her, walking a little slower as if to appreciate her. 'You love her Tristan.' The voice that spoke in his dreams replied. 'You know it, all you have to do is tell her. She will either love you as well or fear you, there is nothing else for it.'
"You're quiet tonight."
He blinked and saw her looking at him, bent down at the other end of the log and grinning back at him. She smiled and he returned the gesture. "I was just… thinking." He said, leaning against the tall end of the log a few inches from her feet, folding his arms beneath his chin. "They say that the Romans are coming for new knights for Briton." He said quietly.
"They have also said you are less human then the hawks you so dearly love to watch." She retorted with another smile, tilting her head faintly to one side. "But this at least I know not to be true."
'Really? You do not think I am inhuman?' "Is that so?" He asked.
"It is." She answered with a smile.
"Who says I am human beside you?" He asked with a grin, teasing her.
"Now, did you not say something about the river?"
He smiled and stood up. "I did."
"Well." She turned to face the river, still crouched down with her elbows on her knees. "If you are indeed more hawk then human then you must be quite fast."
"Yes, and…?" He prompted.
"And if you are so fast, then I should not be able to, beat you there." She said, looking away from the trees and to him.
"Oh." He said, walking around the edge of the log, "Are we to wager then?"
"The thought never came to my mind." She said, looking to the trees again before looking back at him, "But if it had, I am interested to know what the prizes might be." She asked with a look he knew all to well.
"Shall we say…" He paused as if in thought, although he knew what he would ask. "If you win, I will let you go home and you can sleep in peace for the rest of the night." He said, reaching the opposite side of the log.
"And, in the undoubtedly secure chance that you win, your birdlyness?" She asked playfully.
"Maybe…." He paused again. "Let us say I were to ask of you the minimal reward… of a kiss. What would you say to that?" He asked, laying his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist as he stopped.
"I would say…." She said slowly, leaning forward somewhat. "I accept." With that she pushed him to the ground and jumped off the log, running toward the trees.
"Cheater!" He roared as he shot back to his feet and followed after her path.
"That was the idea!" Her voice replied from the darkness ahead of him.
He grinned slightly and lowered his head, lengthening his strides and catching up enough to hear her feet hitting the path. He ran around her and sped as fast as he could to the bank of the river, hiding behind a tree near the shore and waiting.
"You've lost!" She called back as she passed in front of him.
"I do not believe so." He said, reaching out and catching one of the many braids on the right side of her head. "You lost by miles."
"Then you truly are a hawk." She said with a deride bow, "Lord of the Eagles."
He continued to hold the braid as she tried to pull it away. "I am afraid that I can not let you go until you have given me my reward."
She blinked and giggled, "You mean to hold me to my word?" She inquired, in no way striving to hide the laughter in her voice.
"I do." He said somewhat more seriously then he had been before.
She stopped laughing and looked questioningly at him for a moment, as if contemplating weather or not to speak.
"Well?" He asked with a grin, tugging slightly at the braid in his hand.
"You are serious." She said with slight disbelief.
"Of course I am." He replied, 'Do not be annoyed…' The voice cautioned. "It is a extraordinary occurrence true, but it is known to happen at least once in a year."
She grinned, "You truly expect a kiss then?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Truly." He rejoined.
"Then, as is your right by our agreement, you will receive one." She said, looking at his shirt in an attempt to avoid his eyes and hide the reddish tint to her cheeks.
He leaned forward and released the braid. 'This is too good….'
"DOUMA!" A voice called, causing her to turn her head away to the side as he stopped and looked himself.
Several yards into the trees was the glow of a torch. "Douma! Where are you?" Her father's voice called again.
"Go." Tristan said as he stood straight again, "He will be angry if he finds you with me."
"But your reward you were so insistent upon before?"
He grinned slightly, "I'll collect it another night."
She smiled and went toward the torch quickly, whispering back to him, "Goodnight Tristan."
"Goodnight Douma." He replied as she passed out of the rage of his voice. He leaned against the tree behind him and watched the torch as it grew smaller. He looked up through the branches of the tree, "I love you."
