We rode back to the slow moving caravan, with the pain in my arm growing with every bump in the path. Brego seemed to sense my pain and slowed to a near walk even though the other knights were at a fast trot. I tried urging him forward. I didn't want the others to see I was hurt, and maybe that I was weak. All of the sympathy should be for Dag, not me. Unfortunately, Brego was as stubborn as a mule, and he refused to go faster. Galahad noticed and dropped back.

"Are you-"

"I'm fine," I spat. I felt a pang of guilt for lashing out at the young knight, but I was miserable with myself, and all my anger was coming out on others. He seemed unfazed however.

"Are you sure?"

"Galahad," I said quietly and more softly. "I'm fine." I must have shown more confidence than I actually had, because he nodded and rode away. Tristan and Bors had ridden east to pick off a few straggling Saxons and maybe lead them away from the caravan. I desperately needed Tristan. And in my blind rage at the world, I became mad at him too. Why wasn't he here? Why did he just leave me when he could obviously see I was not okay? In my mind I scapegoat anyone I could for the misery I felt. I felt somewhat better, but when we finally reach Hadrian's Wall with the caravan, my higher spirits vanished.

"Ah! Good! Christ be praised! Against all the odds Satan could possi– Alecto! Let me see you! You have triumphed! Young Alecto! Let me see you! You are here!"

I would have slit the Bishop's throat had he been in reaching distance of my sword, whether guards surrounded him or not. I watched as the carriage carrying Lucan and Fulcinia came through the gate. Before it had stopped moving, the boy had jumped out and came running into the courtyard, looking for Dagonet.

"Lucan!" I called as he ducked away from some Roman Guards.

"You there! boy!" They were drawing their swords when I pointed my blade at ones throat. I would have killed him on the spot if Galahad hadn't seen the fierce look in my eye and said something to Tristan, who immediately came over. "Lily," he said softly. I lowered my blade; hating Tristan more for not letting me take my revenge on the Roman.
I watched sadly as Lucan took the large ring from Dag's hand. It was the size of his palm, but he held it tightly. Guenivere put her arms around his shoulders nda Arthur stared angrily at Bishop Germanus.

"Great Knights. You are free now!" chuckled the Bishop nervously. "Come, give me the papers," he ordered a guard. The Roman handed him a jewel inlaid box, which he opened revealing the papers that would set the knights free. Arthur walked slowly up to the Bishop and I watched him closely.

"Bishop, friend of my father." Then, he walked away. Lancelot stepped up to the nervous bishop and grabbed the papers from the box. He slowly handed them out to each of the knights, which took them and left the courtyard.

"Bors," he said. But Bors was staring the Bishop down. "For Dagonet," said Lancelot, pushing the papers into his friend's hand."

"This doesn't make him a free man. He's already a free man!" spat Bors and he threw the papers at the Bishop's feet. "He's dead!" I could take it no longer, and I rushed away. I didn't want to talk to anyone, not even Tristan. I just had to get away.

I had never been to a more emotional funeral than that of Dag's. He had affected us all so much; that there were no words we could find to describe him, so we all cried. Except Bors, who was so drunken with grief and drink that he began to dump some wine on the grave.

Little Lucan seemed to take it the hardest, although he had known the man for the shortest amount of time. Dag was as close to a father as he had ever had, and he was gone within a few short days.