Disclaimer: I don't own King Arthur or any of its characters. So there is no copyright infringement intended, nor do I intend to tick anyone off – so please don't sue me, I'm poor enough already! But I do own the story itself and the characters of Devon and non-King Arthurian types…. :O)
Calliann: To me it's good news that you'll still be reviewing. I have grown very fond of my very regular reviewers like yourself. I want a bit more humour this story and more fluff…though that will be a little while coming. If you look at Dag you can see he does resemble a wall doesn't he! LOL I want more of Van and Jols in this story as I think they are sorely neglected in the film. Tristan will be getting mentions of course – how could I not mention my favourite knight!
Lucillaq: Glad you liked it…the first chapter is always the hardest. I can't write anything other than tough characters, which is good I suppose! She is troubled and it will become apparent through the story (which will go on after the battle of Badon Hill). I kind of gave that away didn't I! LOL
Babaksmiles I'm glad you liked it so much and hope you still do after this chapter. As to Guinevere, and your comments on the other review, I can't say I like her very much. I completely agree with your views on her, particularly in the film – no she was too manipulative by far. Sort to give all us women a bad name! I don't know about interesting female characters, more just damaged…but I'm glad you like them. The thing they have in common is they are all survivors. I'm glad you think the story is fantastic, but I don't they all are! LOL But all praise gratefully received:O)
Evenstar-mor2004: There will be more Van in this story, and more Bors and Jols…so hope you like them too. Devon is an old English girl's name meaning defender; which I thought would suit her given what she does in the story. I have quite a few baby name sites marked, and this one came from an English one that has mostly old, or middle, English names on it.
Elfvamp1-13-97It'll be following the film for a while, albeit not faithfully, but after the final battle (with some possible changes) it will then be original. Glad you like it and hope you continue to do so.
Aelia O'Hession: No conversion, sorry….but Dagonet is one of my favourites (after the delectable Tristan – who is still the best) and I promised you a Dag story and I always keep my promises:o) LOTS of fluff and Devon is a very….ummm…complicated person! But she is nice and there will be fluff…did I say that already! LOL
lilstrummrgrl527: Glad you like it so much, but doubt my writing is good enough for groupie status just yet! LOL I played hide 'n' seek with Beth only a few days ago and that was why I put it in… Devon is like Van with her love of kids and that's why they're friends, but you know she is one tough little cookie….so good call on that! She is wary and you will find out why as the story progresses….hopefully Dag will help her. Dag is not so good with women on a good day and going to Bors for advice is not really going to help! Do you like Danny? He sounds nice – Oh GOD, I sound like my bloody mother! Scrub that whole bit! ROFL No problem, you ask a question I will do my best to answer it ANY TIME. But Lancelot's sense of humour is very dry and sardonic and I think yours is too. Also as you say you are loyal and not afraid of a fight; so you are definitely a Lancelot. It is NO BOTHER to answer your questions and reply to your reviews…..they mean a lot to me, as they help me keep writing. So there:O)
SpectralLady: Glad you like it…there will be more interaction between them and a lot of fluff in future chapters as they develop. Her past is a real thorn in her side…..but that will become more apparent as things continue. Thanks for reviewing:O)
WARNING: BAD LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE AND SOME SEXUAL REFERENCES (though not graphic) SO READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL.
All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.
'—' signifies thoughts.
"—" signifies speech.
Anyway…chapter two!
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Heart & Soul
Chapter Two – Questions
Dagonet went to the stables and found Jols; he couldn't explain what it was about this girl that drew him in like this, but he felt compelled to find out all he could about her.
"Hello Jols…."
"Dag! Anything I can do for you?"
"Umm…..I understand you have a helper…"
"Ah, Devon! You've met her then?"
"How did you know?"
"You've got a look of someone keen to know more; that would only happen if you'd met her, trust me."
Dag smiled, realising that their squire had used the exact same phrase as Van. "Do you know anything about her?"
"Only that she is a huge help to me here so long as I don't ask questions about her, she likes me, thinks I'm under valued by you ungrateful lot and worships her horse, called Gypsy, as the only one in the world who gives a damn about her…." His voice uncharacteristically hitched on the last.
Jols was not given to displays of emotion; but he'd grown to like the girl a lot, and was sad that she felt the only one she could trust and rely on in her life was a horse.
"Her name is Devon, I would say she is about 28 summers old and she told me she called her horse that name because they are so nomadic….well, until they came here and she made friends with Vanora and me. Apparently 8 weeks in any one place is the most she stayed in years. Though Bors doesn't know that much about their friendship and she would prefer it stayed that way."
"Why?"
"I don't know…but she isn't keen for any of you to get to know her too well."
"I see…." But he didn't, he didn't see at all; she was a complete contradiction. He could feel the barely suppressed rage bubbling just under the surface; and yet to all on the outside who didn't bother to look as deeply as he, she was bright and sunny….just unwilling to make eye contact and always with that sheet of hair in front of her face.
"Thanks Jols…" he turned to leave "Jols?"
"What?"
"Do you like her?"
The squire smiled, his eyes softened, before replying with a warmth in his voice "Aye, I like her a lot…she is good, underneath it all – and there is much anger and hatred there, believe me – she is a good person. I consider myself lucky to be allowed to call her friend. Likewise I would not do aught to anger her; I have seen her practice to often with those swords of hers!" he walked away with a smile.
Dagonet left the stables and went and sat on the battlements. He loved it up here…he could think. He needed to think - it would appear that those who paid attention to her were the ones who learnt to trust her and became her friends; the ones who saw her as she really was, not the sunny natured girl or the angry woman….just….her.
He thought about her face - the thing he remembered most about her was her eyes. Those amber pools of honey…he had never met another living being with eyes that colour. What was it Nine had said? Something about them being able to see into your soul….but likewise you could see hers. On the face of it they were bright and alert; but underneath there lurked a pain and anger that made him shudder. Like Van said she seemed nice enough, but there was an edge to her…a dangerous one. It was as if, to him anyway, her very soul was scarred.
He racked his brain for what was it about her that seemed so familiar to him….. something that pricked at his insides like a knife on an old scar. Then he realised; she was lonely, very lonely.
But then why isolate herself? Why shut herself away from others? 'But', a voice in the back of his head reminded him, 'is that not what you have done? Maybe not so obviously; for you go about the others in the fort…go to the tavern, drink, ride and kill with your brother knights; occasionally even bed a woman….but you yourself are shut away. Deep inside, you are in another place…'
He knew the small still voice was right…she was just more honest about it than he…. At that moment, something inside Dagonet clicked; and he thought he would try and get to know this woman more, and soon.
Of course fate has a way of not always allowing things to turn out as you think.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
The following morning, before the knights left, Devon was up chores done (including readying the supplies so that Jols would not be rushed) and out of the fort…making it look to the casual observer, as she had so many times before over the last 7 weeks, as if she were going for an early morning ride.
Jols awoke about 30 minutes later, and went down to the stables to ready the items they might need…only to find it done. He smiled, he hoped she would not go too soon, he had a soft spot for the girl and he knew one of the knights now did too. Though he felt that if the others knew about her, Dagonet would not be the only one.
He had guessed her little secret…she always went out before them, and was always back just before they were. Her quiver either empty, with she with a demon glint in her eye and the horse lathered; or the quiver full and them looking for all the world as if they'd gone for a quick ride.
If the quiver was empty he knew the knights would come back and either someone would be hurt or they would tell him there'd been trouble. If it were full, their mission was a safe one.
He never let on to anyone, not even Vanora what she was doing or that he knew; though he'd guessed she would not be doing this for fun. He knew how friendly she was with Van, and thought maybe the woman had put her up to it. Either way, he was grateful for someone watching over his knights……his friends. He was surprised she was watching over Arthur too; he knew she had no love at all of Romans, but supposed that Van had made her promise.
He smiled, what was it Lancelot had called her? 'The mystery archer'! That was it – and it was really nagging at them who it was that always seemed to be there, albeit hidden, exactly when they needed the help…..
He grinned, things were probably going to get a little more exciting around here now – and not just because a lot of them would be freed in the next 24 hours.
0-0-0-0-0-0
She waited on the ridge above the fort, in the trees. Out of sight of even the cursed hawk that wheeled over head being the eyes of her silent master below….getting to places even the strange scout could not.
She shook her head, she should not think that…she loved all animals for the same reason she loved children. There was no treachery in them; they would not be nice one moment and then…..and then….. She closed her eyes against the memories. But she had made them pay; she had made them all pay had she not?
She opened them again as the rage subsided; they were moving quickly and so she spurred Gypsy to keep up….
She dodged back deeper into the trees as the scout looked around. His eyes alighted on where she was and she instinctively sat further back in the saddle, but just as quickly he looked away and she let loose the breath she hadn't even realised she'd been holding.
She had seen him fight and would not want to be on the end of the sword he carried, or the bow; but she also knew that if it came to it he would lay down his life for the others…she envied that. Envied them that closeness, that willingness to die for each other; she had witnessed it over the past weeks, each looking out for each other as well as themselves.
He was the solitary one…she had watched him, as she had watched them all. When Van asked her to do this she had wanted to make sure she was protecting good men; not men like…like… She shook her head to dispel those thoughts…that was all gone now – she was safe. No one would ever hurt her again, she wouldn't let them get close enough.
But she had watched them, and grew to like them….though she hadn't really noticed Dagonet – she realised she probably had but because he was usually with Bors who did all the talking for both of them, she wouldn't have remembered.
She wondered absently what it was like to have friends like that…people you could rely on no matter what. People you could trust.
She leant forward and patted her horse's neck "I got you though, ain't I Gyps? I got my best girl as my mate!" she whispered. The mare tossed her head as if saying yes, but somehow it was not the same; she sighed.
As they rode past, her eyes alighted on Dagonet. She smiled in spite of herself; even in the saddle he looked a gentle man, yet the axe hanging from it proved otherwise. She had seen him fight over recent weeks and was amazed at his strength and agility with it.
She studied him…there was something about him that struck her as familiar, other than the obvious fact that she remembered hitting him was like hitting the wall. She doubted she would win in a fight with him….but she also knew with certainty he would never strike a woman – she had seen his eyes, they were too kind.
What was it that seemed so….kindred to her. Then she realised….he was lonely, so very lonely.
But then why isolate himself? Why shut himself away from others? And that's what he did, maybe not so obviously as she did; for he went about the others at the fort…went to the tavern, drank, rode and killed with the other knights; she suspected he must occasionally even bed a woman ….but deep down inside his feelings were locked away from those around him.
'But', a voice in the back of her head reminded her, 'is that not what you have done? Shut yourself away…brought down the shutters on your feelings and locked them up. Avoid people, avoid being hurt…..' She knew the small still voice was right…he was just more reserved about his feelings than she.
Maybe on their return, she might try to get to know him better. But even as she thought it, she doubted she would…..why run the risk of further hurt and betrayal? What would be the point?
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
They rode for another hour and then sat on the ridge…she smirked thinking they could not know she was but the other side of the hill from them. Even the famous scout had stopped looking in her direction.
She looked down the hill where they were all watching a roman caravan travelling….she nearly spat on the ground in contempt and disgust; but that would give her away, and she was here to help, not hinder.
All of a sudden all of Hades broke loose! She watched a band of Woads attack the caravan and the knights who had been discussing something suddenly broke into a battle cry and flew down the hill.
She climbed into a tree and watched them battle…once the one with the long blond hair was nearly hit; but her arrows safely killed the Woads about to take him out. He was kneeling on the ground in front of the caravan, whilst he talked to someone hiding underneath.
Once she saved the dark knight's life; so intent was he on killing the Woad knelt before him by taking his head, he foolishly left his back exposed. The Woad was hit with one of her vicious arrows and dropped like a stone.
Someone should take the knight in hand, she thought; one day his lack of concentration, lack of watching all around him, would be the death of him….
On both occasions the knights saved looked to Galahad and Tristan in thanks, they were the best bowmen they had – particularly the scout – and each time the men merely shook their heads; acknowledging that the timely interventions had not been of their making.
Very quickly the fighting was over and she saw Arturious, the knights' commander, spare one of the Woads. Only the Goddess knew why; why spare a man that will only return to kill you later? In a dog eat dog world, why allow one of the dogs that wants to eat you to live? It will only return later and you will wake to find it gnawing on your bloody leg…. Still, it was his decision; stupid though it might be….
She waited until she was sure they were all safe and starting their way back, then she saw Arthur dismiss the scout; she dropped from the tree into her saddle and gently drifted back into the gloom, then made her way back to the fort.
For once she didn't feel the need to rush; with that caravan she would be back long before them.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Down below her, the knights looked quizzically around as the caravan moved forward once more.
"I saw it – did you?" Asked Galahad.
"No…" replied Dag.
"Well, whoever it was saved Gawain and you Lancelot. Bloody accurate too…." The youngest knight was extremely impressed. "Whoever it was couldn't be too near as the Woads, or Tristan, would have seen them. So that only left the cover further along; not great, but better than being either in the open or close to the enemy."
"Which one?" Gawain asked.
"What?"
"Well, it is obvious that they do not want to be seen by either us or the Woads…. So who is their enemy?"
"The Woads of course! Otherwise why help us?"
"Galahad is right." Arthur spoke. "I don't know why but whoever it is is keen to help us….they just do not wish to be identified. However I feel I should make it my business to find out." He rode forward and leant down, pulling one of the arrows from a dead Woad.
"Have you seen the workmanship in these arrows? They're brutal and vicious, but highly effective…" He handed it to Lancelot.
"Aye…put a spin on this, and they have by cutting the feathers this way, and you could take a man down before he'd even realised the thing had hit him…plus it would almost bore its way into your chest. The recipient of one of these would not stand a chance of survival" he touched the tip "Bloody sharp too. It would cut deep…if the initial entry did not kill you, the blood loss this would inflict would."
He and Arthur looked at the dead Woad and then the line of trees Galahad had indicated "That must be some 300 yards!" exclaimed Lancelot.
"Aye….that is no bad shot to let fly and arrow that far and hit him square in the chest."
They rode on discussing who they thought it might be. Their journey back was without further incident, and they had spent the rest of the time talking about their freedom. Dagonet had been silent much of the time, his thoughts taken up with a certain blond haired woman, he barely even responded when Bors cracked some joke that involved him.
0-0-0-0-0-0
This blond haired woman rode into the fort and quickly dismounted. She flung her weapons, except for the two swords on her back and the daggers buckled to her belt, up into the hayloft where she slept. Then she began to curry Gypsy.
That was until her attention was caught over in the corner by two Romans giving Jols a hard time; she could see they'd hit him….. A red mist dropped in front of her eyes….no one hurt a friend of hers!
The men were spun round "What are you doing?" she asked mildly and extremely calmly. But Jols could see that glint in her eyes and worried.
"It's alright Dev….honestly…."
"No…it's not…but it will be…" her swords were drawn "Wanna play?" At those words, Jols blood ran cold – there was an edge to them that made him shudder.
The two Romans grinned and tried to run her….they were dispatched with a sword through the heart of each. Devon bent down and wiped her swords on the hay, tutting "You know that was almost too easy…you can't really play with them, when they're barely able to fight…."her chitchat was the most chilling part. She had just cut down two men, and yet was talking as if she'd just won a game of dice.
An appreciative whistle broke out behind her and she spun round, swords at the ready. The dark knight stepped forward "You wield them well…" he pointed to the two swords in her hands.
She shrugged and went to step past him, he stepped to block her – her eyes glinted once more "let me pass..." she ground out.
A large arm blocked him and she turned to find herself face to face with a large chest. She looked up and found herself smiling at none other than Dagonet. "Thank you." she murmured, before disappearing out of the stables toting her now bloodied swords.
They heard her muttering in an irritated tone "It'll take bloody hours to clean and sharpen these now…."
"Anyone care to enlighten me as to what's just happened?" Arthur asked mildly; staring at his squire with a bloodied lip and two dead roman soldiers at his feet.
"I'm assuming you didn't do this?" he smiled at Jols, as he indicated the dead soldiers. Jols quickly filled him in as he watched Lancelot grin and follow Devon outside.
"NO….no don't Lance…believe me…" he called but it was too late. The knight ran outside, but she was gone. Jols heaved a sigh of relief.
"Where'd she go?" Lancelot was surprised as he returned.
"She moves fast…" commented Galahad.
Arthur looked around the knights "You don't think…..?"
"No mere woman could send an arrow like that Arthur….not even one as good looking as she." Lancelot snorted in derision.
Bearing in mind what Nine had said, and Van for that matter, Dagonet was not so sure. A suspicion began to form in his mind.
Jols saw the look that passed across the gentle knight's face and he knew he was working it out. None realised this about Dagonet; he could be like a dog with a bone with a problem….gnawing away at it until he'd found the answer.
This was one of those times; whilst the others would not spend too much time pondering it, he would. He would take all the information he had and sort through it, until he had the answer he felt was right.
'Don't give her away Dag…if you have worked it out…for the love of the Goddess, don't give her away…"
"What is it Dagonet?" Arthur spoke noticing the look on his friend's face.
"Nothing….I was just wondering the same…how could she move so fast." He hated lying to Arthur…but he did not know for certain it was her…yet.
Jols almost collapsed with relief. He was not sure how Arthur and the others would take her 'help'. They might consider it interference; if they moved a hand against her….he was worried about the outcome. She had promised Van to protect them, of that he was sure….but if they'd tried to hurt her…. Until he was sure what they're reaction would be he would not speak. He only hoped that Dagonet would do the same.
He turned to speak to the silent knight…only to find him gone.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Dagonet quickly scouted around the perimeter of the stables but could not see her. He reluctantly went into the meetings room where the round table was held; after he had his papers he would try to seek her out once more.
Devon sat on the roof of the stable and heard the exchange. She glared mutinously at Lancelot as he exited and nooked an arrow….she aimed carefully at the ground just in front of his feet, but then let the bow drop. It was a pointless exercise, as she didn't want them to know it was her who was their 'mystery helper'. Though maybe next time she might let the cocky fool get an arrow in the shoulder just to prove a bloody point!
She watched Dagonet look all round the outside of the stables and had to stifle a smile; if he would only look up, he would find her….
As soon as all had gone she dropped down and made her way to the tavern. She found her way through the back entrance - she never went through the main part - and found Van….
"He is safe and you are both free!" she smiled and hugged her friend.
"Aye and we will be away as soon as we can figure where we wish to go!" she turned to Devon with a grin "Were they well?"
"Aye, but I had to save the dark one and the one with the long blond hair….though why I bothered with the dark one I don't know…."
Van raised an eyebrow and Devon told her of all that had transpired… Van laughed "Aye that sounds like Lancelot! The other you helped would be Gawain…."
They chatted for some small time when the knights all filed in "Go see to your men…..and glad I am that you are free now!"
She wandered away back to the stables. She went up onto the roof; and sat staring at the stars. A short while later she heard someone come in, and peered down through the hole she made in the roof to reach the hayloft where she slept.
It was Dagonet and he was looking for something…or someone. She swung down and sat on one of the beams. "Looking for someone?"
He glanced around and then, not finding anyone, finally looked up. He smiled….it felt strange being taller than he, but she saw more of him now and realised what a gentle face he had.
"Aye…you."
She dropped down into the hayloft and then swung down to the floor; landing with a soft thud in front of him. He was struck immediately with her gracefulness.
"What?" she regarded him carefully. Her amber eyes boring into him "You were looking for me for what?"
"It was you, wasn't it? Today on the ridge?" he decided to plough in. "Our mystery archer…"
"I have no idea what you are talking about." she yawned "I'm tired."
She went to step past him and he grabbed her arm "Why protect us?"
She shook his hand off and turned to face him "If I knew what you were speaking of I would tell you…but as I don't, I can't answer your question." She stalked out, but stopped at the door "Though maybe whoever it is protecting you is doing it because they like you." she added softly before disappearing.
He stood there for a moment, sighed with frustration and decided to visit the tavern. When he got there Bors and the other knights were celebrating their freedom.
"Dagonet! Where you been? We got plans to make!" Bors cried slapping his friend and brother on the back.
Dag ignored him as he was wont to do and just took a drink
Bors got Vanora to sing….she had a lovely voice, and it even made Devon a bit homesick. Not that she could really remember Sarmatia. She stood in the back and as the song finished Van came back.
But Devon had spotted Arturious watching and he did not seem happy. He was about to walk away when Jols spotted him. "Arthur!"
The others all walked over and a few tried to get him to drink, but he wouldn't…..
He then launched into his spiel about a further trial and once again all Hades broke loose, though this time there were no Woads. Devon nooked an arrow…but Van patted her arm, tears in her eyes. "No…no….it is alright. It is not his fault."
They were still shouting "Should I break it up?" Devon offered waving the still nooked arrow at her friend "I could fire a warning shot?"
"No…No…" Van was crying openly now and Devon was so mad that if Arturious had walked in then she would have floored the roman pig!
She stood slightly to the side as the scout spoke, even as he had continued to eat his apple "Yeah yeah, we're all going to die someday. If it's death by a Saxon hand that frightens you - stay home." He spat; Devon had to smile, she admired that kind of spirit.
Galahad spun on him "Well if you're so eager to die, you can die right here!"
Lancelot stepped in to break it up just as she once again raised her bow "Enough, enough!" the two men stepped apart and so she lowered it once more.
Galahad now shouted at Arthur as well as Tristan "I've got something to live for!"
Devon rolled her eyes 'Goddess that boy could bleat!'
Then Dagonet spoke, the most she had ever heard him say "The Romans have broken their word. We have the word of Arthur. That is good enough. I'll prepare." She felt proud then….no bleating or complaining, just a calm acceptance. Though she could tell from the way he walked that he was angry.
He paused by her and looked at Bors "Bors! You coming!"
His best friend and brother almost screamed at him "course I'm coming! Can't let you go on your own; you'll all get killed!"
The scout left and followed Dagonet silently back to pack. As they passed her, she felt both men look at her and smile. The scout stopped and leant towards her and whispered "At least we'll not be alone, eh? Our mystery archer will be there…."
She felt the colour drain from her face and looked at Dagonet; he merely smiled and shrugged. The scout pointed to her quiver "Wonderful workmanship, but not that common…you're the only one with them." And then they left.
Bors was still shouting "I'm just saying what you're all thinking!" and he stormed off, but she heard him say quietly – almost to himself "Vanora'll kill me."
She looked at her friend "Will you?"
Van dried her eyes "I might shout, but I'll not kill him…"
Devon lay a hand on her arm "Like the scout said I'll go, you know that don't you?"
Van started as if struck "You can't! I don't care what Tristan said!"
"Tristan?"
"The scout…"
"Oh; well, I can – and I will….I promised. I gave my word that I would ensure they would see their freedom. Well, they're not free yet are they? Look" she turned to indicate that both Gawain and Galahad were going "they'll all go because they have to….and so do I."
Van stepped over to her and hugged her tightly "Thank you Devon, oh thank you! You are good friend to me you are…."
"As you are to me Van…and that is why I'm going…." She sighed "I do not want you to end as I have…."
And she left, leaving her friend to wonder at the meaning of her cryptic words.