Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Same as before….
Aelia O'Hession: He is cute and such a gentleman! I don't know about mostly dead, I think there's a gravestone somewhere in Highgate cemetery in London that says 'R.I.P. Chivalry and good manners – died: too long ago to remember' It might be a bit of an urban legend, but it's still very true. Yes, a battle, with Saxons…who I loathe, so cue much blood letting. Yes she did, and although Devon is thawing towards her a little, that will continue. It was watching it (again!) that made me add the hair ruffling thing….it's just begging to be ruffled isn't it? (In a purely sisterly, non-sexual way! LOL) Well, that's good news…no more willowbark and camomile tea! Seriously though, glad I am you're feeling better… :O)
Twilight Falcon: Glad you liked it so much. I tried to make it romantic and am pleased you thought it was. The barmaid thing was a bit naughty really, but thankfully no one has twigged! LOL NO I won't let him die…but as to anyone else I'm not making promises….read on and you'll see…..
MarblezAww…okay!
SpectralLady: Glad you liked it! No he won't……
lilstrummrgrl527: I'm glad you liked it so much. But I really hate always making you cry – you must really be starting to hate my stories as they always upset you:O) Dag is 6' 2' (I'm working off the real actor, ray Stevenson, here) and Devon is 5' 5" (I thought she would be similar in height to Vanora – the whole close friendship/sister thing). Glad you liked the barmaid bit – it was a bit naughty but no one twigged! LOL But yes, you can dream – the same as I can about Dag and Tristan!
Calliann: I'm glad you liked it and thought it were romantic. Yeah, if he existed I would launching my own bloody search party as we speak! Glad you like the Tristan bits; I have to keep him in it a lot as he is such a brilliant character. She did muchly deserve it as she was being very naughty under her skirt! ;O) I didn't want to Bors to do it to show how protective Devon is of those she likes, but also how vicious she is. I'm glad you liked the back chat between Van and Bors though. Well, it is the queen song, just a more folksy/angsty version….but the words are so lovely. His solution was wonderful wasn't it….and he really didn't have any option but to keep it to himself really.
WARNING: BAD LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE, 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 Ten!
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Heart & Soul
Chapter Ten – The Storm
Devon awoke the next morning for once not cursing the fact that she was still breathing. Instead she thanked all the deities that she lived, as she felt a hard chest against her back, a chin resting on her head and large muscular arms wrapped around her slight frame.
She remembered they undressed in the night, though they both remained in their undergarments. She was still surprised that he had not wanted to make love to her even then – content to merely hold her and tell her repeatedly how he loved her, he was the noblest of men and she knew his intentions were honourable; indeed had not his actions of last night proved that.
He had only wanted to hold her, to hold someone he knew loved him. She doubted he knew just how much she did love him. She still couldn't believe it had only been a few short days ago that they met; although for her it had been many weeks since the first time she had seen him.
He had been stood at the bar in the tavern watching Bors and the others laughing with Vanora and Jols…he had had this sad look in his eyes even as he had smiled.
She didn't really remember him as much as the others – particularly Tristan, who had been the bane of her life as she had endeavoured to avoid his inquisitive wanderings - but she realised now that that was Dag's way; and although she had not consciously recollected him, he had found his way into her subconscious and from there into her heart. But she knew her feelings for him began the day she ran into him when she was with Nine and the others.
The first time he towered over with that small smile playing on his lips, her heart had lurched and she'd liked him. She was so pleased when she'd run into him again, literally, when she was at Van's…..although initially if Van had given the word she would have killed him without hesitation.
But she had liked him then, felt a stirring deep inside that he could mean something to her…it had been when she had seen him with Lucan that she realised what a good man he was and how fond he was of children.
It was on the ice when she realised she cared deeply for him….that she might even love him; though she had dismissed it as being a reaction to his nearly dying. But she had given herself away because of him…..something she would not have done before – not even for wolf - and had known, deep down, that there was more to her feelings that she was admitting to even herself.
However the last day and a half had only confirmed her feelings for him, and now she was only hoping they survived the approaching storm long enough to allow their feelings to grow.
She could feel from the way his chest rose and fell that he was still sound asleep, it was strange the way she seemed to fit him perfectly. She spooned against him and slotted into his body with precision, almost as if it were intended that way.
She turned very gently to face him, desperate to see what he looked like as he slept – in case aught happened to him; she wanted him imprinted on her memory forever.
She smiled as his arms tightened instinctively around her; seeming, even in sleep, he was reluctant to let her go.
He had that large scar that ran through his left eyebrow, just slightly down past his eye and then under it almost all the way to his mouth; she gently kissed it. There were others on his head, face and, she lifted the pelts and blankets, there were many, many more on his body. Some so severe she was wondrous that he had survived the injuries that had produced them.
His eyes were closed, but she could picture the warm brown they were almost as if they were open and watching her also. He had a short stubbly beard, it prickled her slightly and she had to stifle the giggles that nearly erupted as it tickled her face. He had long lashes that fanned his cheek; lashes any woman, including herself, would be envious of.
His face showed the battle weariness of him, and how much he had suffered in his life. Frown lines showed all over his face, but at the same time he had little wrinkles in the corner of his eyes that showed how much he must smile and laugh.
She remembered how tall he was; well over 6' – nearer 6' 2" she suspected – she was only 5' 5" and so this was probably the only time they would be 'eye to eye' so to speak, she grinned.
She gently picked up a hand and studied it; it was calloused from wielding an axe, sword and bow for 15 long years, but it was also gentle. She kissed the palm, then rubbed it against her cheek - and felt the fingers cup her face.
She looked to see him staring at her with a smile on his lips "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice rumbly and deeper than usual with sleep.
She blushed furiously "Aye…I…ummm…." She could not answer him further without sounding like a love struck fool. "How long have you been awake?"
"Long enough….since you kissed my scar….I defy any man to remain asleep under such an onslaught!" He smiled as he hauled her closer and kissed her deeply. She kissed him back, winding her arms round his neck and pulling him as close as she could.
They broke apart minutes later, both were breathing heavily. She caressed his arm with her fingers and felt him shudder "You are a true knight, Dag. Not many men would hold a woman in their arms like you have this past night without taking advantage, especially if she were a willing partner."
"Aye, mayhap they wouldn't…..but you are special Devon, and I want our first time to be special, not rushed and desperate because we may die; because we won't. I won't allow it." He said with a blush "I know I sound like a love struck fool….."
She silenced him with a brief kiss "You are only that as much as I…"
He grinned and then sobered almost as quickly "We will live through today…..I promise you that."
"I trust you…and I do not trust easy Dag" she smiled. They continued to lay together, snug in their embrace until there was a knock at the door.
"Dag? Devon?" it was Jols "it is time…"
0-0-0-0-0-0
They were in the stables preparing their horses for battle as Alecto, Fulcinia, Horton and Germanius came in to take their leave.
"I leave you now great Knights; and hope that you follow us to the Roman Empire…." The bishop stated grandly; though became slightly disgruntled when they all ignored him and merely continued readying their weapons.
He turned to Arthur "I am surprised at you Arthur…." He frowned "I thought you of all people would want rid of this Godforsaken land…these I could understand wishing to stay, to protect pagans….but you…"
"Ah, but I have nothing to return for now Bishop, do I? All that I considered family is now dead…..and as for staying here…." Arthur replied bitterly.
"It is ironic is it not; that the only reason these pagan knights are staying to fight a pagan war, is because their Christian leader chose the fight as his own, and they stay because of him. I doubt any other Roman, part or otherwise, could lay claim to such loyalty."
Germanius turned to be confronted with a young woman dressed entirely in black, leaning against the door of the stables. She was stunning, as far as he could see, as she had a curtain of hair hanging over her eyes.
"And you are?"
She pushed away from the door way and started stalking towards him in one fluid movement. There was something about the way she moved that he found incredibly unsettling.
"I am no one of importance, your eminence." The words dripped sarcasm "I am merely a friend of all the knights" she gestured round the room with her head "one in particular…." She moved closer to Dagonet, giving him a smile that he returned with interest "and sister to another" she nodded to Tristan who flashed a smile back, knowing precisely what she was doing.
"Ah, I see….you are Sarmatian…." He tried not to be scared of this woman, he could see the knights, including Arthur, all smirking at his obvious discomfort – even Horton was trying to stifle a sneer.
"Aye….Iazyges." she held her head high, though the fringe remained in place he could see a pair of deep amber eyes peering at him in distaste.
"They are no more…" he said with more than hint of triumph. A gasp went round the Sarmatians and Tristan fingered his dagger, even Dagonet bristled. There was no need to tell her like that, even it were true.
"Aye….I know….I have spoken to traders - the Hun over ran them after Rome ran away. That's why I respect Arthur, he at least has the conscience to stay and fight for those that are unable to do so themselves.
My tribe no longer exists as I remember it…it matters naught to me now; I have a new tribe to call my own. This one….." she gestured to the knights in the room.
They all seemed, to Arthur's eyes, to stand a little taller when she said that. They certainly all moved as if to stand behind, and with, her.
"Rome did not run away….."was the terse reply.
"No…of course…what is it called? A 'tactical retreat'? Well, Sarmatian warriors call it running away…" she smiled at the bishop in a way he did not like. She regarded him closely, her head weaving slightly as if taking him in completely; almost sizing him up.
"You are……smaller than I'd expected…"
"Smaller?" he squeaked in indignation.
"Aye…..shorter…I mean I am not tall, and you only outstrip me by about an inch." She regarded him mildly "but forgive me….maybe it is because I have been spoilt by all the tall, muscular Sarmatian men around me in recent weeks."
At this point Lancelot knew he could not keep the laughter in any longer or he would burst… As he snorted, Devon gave him a look; but knew he was not the only one fighting not to laugh. Galahad in particular was struggling….
"Arthur is not Sarmatian…" came the icy reply "He is Roman."
"Only a half Roman; the other half is Briton, is it not Woad?" she turned her gaze to the Guinevere who was enjoying the nasty little man's discomfort full as much as the others.
"Aye…I believe so…" she smiled genuinely at Devon and winked.
"It is true…only a half." Arthur added, deciding not joining in this game would be too churlish.
"Aye, well that would explain the impressive height then, compared to full Romans such as him…." Devon nodded as if to herself; though knowing full well it would be irritating the hell out of the bishop.
"Still, it will be easier than I anticipated…" she spoke slowly and deliberately, though her tone was still light.
"What will?" He couldn't help himself, the words were out before he could stop them.
Dagonet and Tristan were enjoying the exchange immensely – Dagonet had to keep his head down so that his mirth wouldn't be too obvious. Galahad and Gawain had turned their backs and were now intensely studying the wall.
"What?" Devon pretended she had been talking to herself "Oh, nothing for you to worry about Bishop…..nothing at all." She spoke lightly and went to turn away.
"Oh….one more thing….I would enjoy the day…really enjoy it…" she looked at him, and then smiled – somewhat nastily he thought – and carried on walking away.
"Why?"
"As I said, nothing for you to worry about…I just would…." She walked to the stable doors before stopping, she never turned as she spoke "It was nice meeting a fellow friend of Pelagius….I'll see you again Bishop."
She spoke the last part lightly enough, her voice even and almost verging on friendly. But everyone saw the look of terror that crossed the older man's face as Devon left the stables. There had been an edge to that voice…
0-0-0-0-0
They met on the hill…..Arthur was shocked at Devon's armour, or rather the lack of it; he had thought that after her little 'chat' with the bishop she would don some proper armour. But instead her battle wear consisted of a leather jerkin over a thick shirt, thick leather trousers and boots with calf guards in them.
But she merely smiled "Arthur I have dealt with the Saxons and they do not scare me….death does not scare me; though" she looked both at Dagonet and Tristan "I have much more reason to live now than I did a few days ago… But for your information Galahad kindly let me have one of his chain mail shirts for added protection."
He seemed somewhat mollified, but she had to smile at the concern still written all over his face.
She had two quivers full of those barbaric arrows she loved to make, and all the knights shuddered as to the mess they would make of their prey.
They all knew the plan, Arthur had called a meeting so they could meet Merlin and be briefed on their parts at the same time.
Devon was unsure of the old man and kept her head down, her hand fast in Dagonet's and her hair over her face.
Although for his part Merlin seemed to like her "You have more than one part to play here child" he murmured as they rose to leave "you have played one part by showing my daughter where her destiny lay" he nodded towards Guinevere "But you also have to play a part with the others" he now inclined his head to the other knights.
"How?"
"You must be with him…." He pointed at Dagonet "and you have to keep them all alive…" and with that he was gone.
Devon had no intention of letting any of them die if she could help it, but to be almost ordered to do so made her bristle; she rolled her eyes at Tristan who had been listening "What is it with Woads?"
The scout merely shrugged, as she walked over to Dagonet.
"Alright?" he asked.
"Aye…you know, its genius and I think it might just work…"
Dagonet smiled "He is a brilliant tactician…."
So here they were about to put the plan into action….
0-0-0-0-0
Devon was right, it did go well…the first part; her arrows flew and took out eyes, bored into heads, chests and torso's killing all they hit –some more slowly than others, but all died. The first plan worked to perfection; the second part was harder.
She was trying to keep her eyes on all the knights, Tristan and Dagonet in particular, but it was difficult.
She fought her way to Arthur "We need to kill the leader and his son…."
"Why!" he shouted over the noise of the battle.
"If they die" she dodged a Saxon's axe before swinging and burying her swords in his chest, twisting them and pulling them out with a deep flourish…she turned and stabbed another behind her "then these idiots will run…it's like cutting a head off" she did so to another Saxon fighter to demonstrate "the body drops without it…."
"We'll try…." Arthur replied loudly as the battle pulled them further and further apart.
She continued to fight; she saw Gawain get injured by a crossbow bolt that knocked him from his horse, but he was back on his feet instantly. Bors too got injured, but killed his attacker and he too carried on fighting with those vicious knuckle knives of his. Try as she might he could not see Galahad, and could only hope he was alright.
Then she saw Tristan go to the Saxon that was the leader, he cut down a Saxon fighter that was put in his path by the evil man 'What are you doing, idiot brother! He is testing you first!' they had done similar with Wolf….and then killed him slowly. Wounding him first, over and over before finally killing him. This would not happen again, she fought her way towards him.
She saw him get stabbed in the arm, as well in many other places – she knew the Saxon bastard was just toying with him like a cat plays with a mouse - and lunged forward tired of trying to fight her way to the man she called brother; dropping her swords, she flung her daggers at the Saxon just as he was about to kill the scout. They hit him in the shoulder, and he immediately dropped Tristan who managed to crawl away.
She saw Dagonet and Arthur reach them "He's mine Devon!" Arthur cried "I told him the next time he saw my face across the battlefield it would be the last thing he saw on this earth!"
"Dagonet! Watch him!" she cried. She had seen Lancelot about to be hit from behind by the slimy little Saxon shit from the ice.
She saw the Saxon's son pick up a crossbow and then realised that once again the knight was no longer watching his back; he was dealing with two other Saxons that had approached the Woad girl "LANCELOT! FORGET THE FUCKING WOAD – FORGET THE OTHER SAXONS! WATCH YOUR BACK!" the dark knight spun round at her angry shout and the crossbow bolt, that was aimed at his chest, hit him in the shoulder…
She dropped her swords once more and grabbed her bow, firing her last two arrows at the Saxon pig before picking her swords up and running forward.
The arrows struck the younger Saxon in the chest, his scream was bloodcurdling as he fell face first into the dirt.
She ran to Lancelot "Oaf! I told you to watch your bloody back!"
"I….will…live…but ye Gods it fucking hurts…" the knight ground out.
She heard Dagonet shout a warning and spun round just as the Saxon, one hand clutching the arrows in his chest, threw a dagger at her and then finally collapsed on the ground.
The dagger hit her in the side, but she staggered over and buried her swords in him to make sure he was dead this time.
Arthur, though injured by the Saxon chief, had killed him; and now the surviving Saxon fighters realised that they were losing, as well having both their leader and his son dead, so they began to retreat.
The Woad warriors gave chase cutting many down where they stood.
Galahad helped Gawain over to where Arthur was and Bors helped Devon stagger over. "What the hell have you done to yourself girlie?" He mumbled worriedly; she was bleeding a lot.
"Tristan…" she gasped "I have to see Tristan….and Dag…is Dag alright?"
"Aye lass, I'll get you there…and Dag's fine…fine…just the usual" he hesitated "You ain't gonna leave us are ya? He wouldn't cope, he wouldn't…."
"I'll try not to Bors…I will…but…" she looked down at the blood soaking her side "it's not good mate…it's not." They were standing over Tristan "he's not?"
"Nay, nay…he still lives – fret not. Their daggers seem shorter than ours so though he has many wounds it is only the two done with a sword we need worry about." Arthur reassured her with Dagonet nodding. "Though if he'd got the final blow in with his sword he would've killed him then…"
"Sister?" Tristan held up his good arm.
"Brother…" she grasped it and then leant down and hugged him.
"You are hurt…" Tristan saw the blood.
"Nay, nay…it is just a scratch…fret not…." She laughed lightly.
He was not convinced. She bent down over him as best she could, tears swimming in her eyes "Do not leave me brother….do not…"
"I will not – you have my word. Only I say likewise to you." He nodded.
"Care for him…." She asked Dag "and back at the fort, fetch Aida….she can heal believe me…"
When he turned to speak to her she was gone…..
0-0-0-0-0
She had wanted to stay….oh the Goddess how she had wanted to stay. To mark their victory, to help her brother, for once to have her wounds tended by someone other than herself, to wrap herself in the arms of the man she loved… But she still had a death to avenge.
She cleared the trees and saw the caravan ahead "So…what's the plan?" she turned to be confronted with Galahad; Guienevere behind him.
"Gawain wanted to come too…we have to be quick the others are looking for you, we managed to slip away…..." he smiled, looking very proud of himself as she came and hugged him tightly.
"If you wish to kill the bishop, we will aid you Devon." Guinevere smiled and indicated the older girl's side "You are in no fit state to do it alone now. I question if you are able to do it at all…but I know you wish to avenge Arthur's friend and yours."
"Aye I do, and I accept your help Woad. What is your name, I cannot keep calling you just Woad?"
"Guinevere…."
"Well, Guinevere, Galahad - lets' get on…but first…" she took some needle and thread and quickly put some stitches into her side. She saw Galahad flinch and Guinevere watch in mute admiration.
"I'll never get used to you doing that…" the young knight grimaced.
"Better that than bleed to death Gal; to tell true I am already feeling dizzy and I think I lost much blood. We must finish this and soon." She smiled, he could see her looking pale.
"Come then…."
They had caught the caravan in minutes. Alecto and Fulcinia had played their part, along with Horton, making sure their section of the caravan was at the back and had fallen far behind the rest so there was no witnesses.
Devon first made sure the Bishop was not among the soldiers and Guinevere realised this was why she had wanted to see him, to ensure she could pick him out.
She then slid from Gypsy as Galahad made the front horses stop; the mercenaries went to protect the Bishop who was cowering in his wagon.
"Hello, your eminence……I hope you have enjoyed your day as I advised…" she smiled.
Alecto stepped forward "You are mercenaries yes?" they nodded "Then so long as you get paid at journey's end what care you for his fate?"
They looked at each and shrugged stepping back. Horton merely looked away as Germanius cast beseeching eyes to his former clerk.
She dragged him away "You do not need to witness this Alecto, take your mother and your new assistant" she smiled at Horton " and leave…."
"I will tell them the Saxons attacked us and killed him…it may mean saying he died protecting us…." He grimaced slightly "It pains me to have him painted a hero."
"Aye mayhap it does" Devon shrugged "but I do not wish to have further repercussions from this. Pelagius will be avenged and that is all I wish; if this worm has to be made out to be some kind of hero in Rome to achieve that end, then so be it….I care not what Rome thinks."
"You are a wise woman Devon; I will miss such council." He smiled.
"I have counselled you not boy, merely said what I thought. But I do have one piece of advice that might aid you - be a good man Alecto; that is all we can hope for in this life…to be a good soul." She returned the smile.
"Then I will do my best to heed such wise words." He gripped her arm and stepped back into the wagon.
"Goodbye…" his mother murmured "Have a good life, you deserve it." Devon was surprised, she had never really heard the woman speak before.
Horton turned as he went to step back into the wagon "God's speed good lady….I am sorry we did not always see eye to eye. I would have liked to debated with you further your 'beliefs' as you call them." He dipped his head.
Devon dipped hers "Aye, but we would have only fallen out I'm sure. Goodbye Horton I hope you fare well, for you are a good man underneath all that church crap!" She laughed as she watched him flinch at the cuss word, but then smile at the veiled compliment.
She watched the retreating caravan now trying to catch up with the rest as she spoke to the bishop "Well, now I bet you wonder what's going to happen to you?"
"You will be….!" He stopped, realising that making threats was not going to aid his cause.
"What? I will be what? Crucified for such heresy as to kill a bishop of your Church, of your God? But that's just it - your Church, your God; not mine…" She smiled evilly "and now you come to mention it…."
Cold realisation dawned on him "You wouldn't….you couldn't! But….but…that is barbaric!"
"No more barbaric than what was done to my parents…to Palagius!" she spat at him. She looked at the other two "Come…and bring him."
She walked away, but Guinevere could see she was faltering. "Are you alright?" she whispered.
"I hope so… But I feel bad Guinevere." Her voice faltered and the younger woman's heart went out to her, 'she would have made good Woad' she thought. Just then Devon drew herself straight "I will do this thing, I will not let down a good man."
They brought him to a suitable tree "You know, I was forced to read your Bible….by my owner…." She turned to Germanius "Did you know they crucified Peter upside down on a tree?"
He nodded dumbly; too frightened now to even articulate his fear or beg for his life.
"Of course, I won't do that….." he sagged momentarily with relief; he was going to die and soon of that he was sure, but he may yet be permitted a quick death. That small hope was quickly snatched away. "I don't know that we could manage you upside down; better to do it the right way up…like your Jesus. He seemed another nice man that was killed for no reason."
She whistled Gypsy and then took the nails and block hammer from her saddlebag "I'm always good at planning…" she smiled at a stunned Galahad.
She nailed the now screaming Bishop to the tree as Guinevere and Galahad held his thrashing body in place, the weight of his body was pulling the nails through his limbs very quickly. Galahad did not like this; but neither did he like what this man's Church had done to Devon's parents, or what he had done to Arthur's friend.
"You are lucky….I did not whip you first. You have some strength in your legs to push yourself upright to breathe – albeit for a short while." Though her voice was conversational, her face was a mask of pure hatred that made the two others with her catch their breath.
"How does it feel to die the same way as your one time friend, the way of my parents and no doubt many like them?"
He could not speak. She stood for some minutes watching him, then she sighed "I am no torturer though; I will not let you die like this. As much as I want to, I cannot; for then I would be no better than you…." She pulled her swords and put them either side of his head in a scissor action, neatly cutting his head from his shoulders. Then she let the body down…..
She took a rag and a small bottle of oil from the bags; pouring a little on the rag and then the rest on the now dismembered body "I release you Germanius, may your soul find whatever peace it can in Heaven…." She lit the rag and tossed it onto the body, engulfing it in flames.
She staggered then and fell to one knee, her rigid control faltering. Galahad rushed to her and picked her up "Gal…I feel bad…help me onto Gypsy."
"Nay, ride with me - you will not be able to ride back unaided…."
"I will…"
The frightened young knight did as he was bid, then turned to Guinevere "My lady, if you wish to be a friend to me, and her, you will help me now…go fetch the others.
But you must fetch Dagonet ...I am fearful she will not live to see the fort without him….
We'll follow the same path we came on and meet you along the way back…"
With a swift nod, Guinevere mounted her horse and was gone…..
"Hang on sister…for you are a sister to me and Gawain, I hope you know that…." He murmured.
She leaned slightly and ruffled his hair with a blood soaked hand "I love you as much Gal…."
He mounted and they began to ride. He talked to her of everything and nothing; anything to keep her talking, to keep her conscious. He tried to ride quickly, she was bleeding freely again, he realised that dealing with the bishop's body must have burst the few swift stitches that she had put in.
"Please don't die on me Devon…I don't know what we would do without you….I don't think Dag would cope, I really don't…." he muttered.
0-0-0-0
It seemed hours, but was only a matter of 15-20 minutes later that Guinevere rode into sight followed by all the knights; save Tristan and Lancelot.
They were too hurt to come, though both had argued bitterly about being left – especially Tristan, even though he was barely conscious.
"She is my sister!" he'd growled trying to sit up.
"Aye, and she will still be your sister when we fetch her back!" Arthur did not feel they had time to argue. Guinevere was worried and that did not seem like her, she never struck him as the sort to panic.
"I should go….she saved me…"
"Aye, mayhap you should….but you will not…." Arthur was final.
"And what of me, I am not as hurt as he? I could go…" Lancelot stood shakily.
"With the amount of blood you've lost I doubt you would even make it onto your horse!" Arthur was getting more than a little angry. The girl was hurt and he was standing here arguing with two knights about who was going to rescue her….
"He can't go…so I should go in his stead…I've had worse injuries!" Lancelot yelled jabbing a finger at Tristan.
"Not with so much blood loss!" Arthur rubbed a hand over his face in frustration…. "Look! I know you both are fond of her…you more than most, Tristan because to she is blood kin to you now, but….."
"If he goes, I go…." Mumbled Tristan butting in; attempting to stand and brushing away Aida, who was trying to clean his wounds thoroughly and sew him up.
She smiled at the angry knights before her; she could see Gawain and Bors, and Dagonet especially, trying to get out the door.
"You are all mightily fond of her are you not?"
"Aye mother that we are.." replied an anxious looking Dag.
"Then stop arguing and just go get her…." She turned to Tristan and Lancelot "And you two, do you really want to feel her wrath if she finds out you've endangered yourselves going to fetch her?"
Tristan and Lancelot exchanged a look "She doesn't frighten me…" mumbled Tristan "She's my little sister…."
"Well, if she doesn't – she should. Because she certainly frightens me!" Aida smiled. Tristan, in spite of himself, grinned.
Lancelot sagged with defeat "go, go! We'll stay – but tell her, tell her we wanted to go…"
"Thank you!" murmured Arthur as he passed Aida "for making them see sense."
Dagonet patted her arm "she loves you boy…more than you know she does…" he smiled and went on his way.
She took Bors arm "What is it?"
"She was hurt bad….I'm worried."
"Why?"
" I reckon she's gone after that bloody bishop…."
"Oh, I know she has….." and she told him of Devon's plan. Bors shot out after the others.
Tristan looked at her "She's as vicious as me, isn't she?" he asked proudly having overheard what Devon was going to do.
"Aye, that she is….hate is a powerful emotion boy; and she has plenty of it to fuel her, no matter how hurt she is. Have you spent yours yet?"
He thought for a moment "Not sure….ask me after we've had peace for a while…."
She patted his arm and continued to patch the two knights up; she was a little concerned about Tristan, his injuries were bad – they were only lucky that the Saxon daggers were not as long as the Sarmatian ones, otherwise the wound under his arm alone would have killed him.
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Dagonet felt the relief sweep over him like a wave when he saw Devon on her horse. But then his eyes took in her pallor and the way her head drooped; his gaze swung to a worried looking Galahad.
He spurred his horse forward "Well!"
"She is bad Dag…she is…."
"And yet you still let her come and deal that prick!" he demanded angrily.
"I….." Galahad was trying to explain.
Devon nudged Gypsy between them "Do not blame him, or Guinevere for that matter…. I would have done it anyway, and their aid saved me much time and pain. Without them I would probably have bled to death…..just trying to get him on the tree…."
She fell…. Dagonet caught her and hauled her onto his horse. He flung the reins of Gypsy at Galahad.
"ARTHUR! ARTHUR! She is bad….I must go!" he swung his horse into a hard gallop back to the fort.
As they rode back in his wake, Bors looked at Gawain "Van will kill me if she dies."
"Why? I think Galahad and Guinevere are the two most at risk from that."
"Yeah, but I knew she were badly hurt and I didn't make sure she stayed. She'll bloody kill me…." He sunk into a worry.
Behind him Arthur looked at Guinevere "So, she uses your name now?"
"Aye" she smiled "She does, but I think it will be time yet before she trusts me. I will fetch my father. He is good at healing…." She rode away to fetch Merlin; though in truth she wondered if the young woman would survive long enough for him to aid her.
As they reached the fort Dagonet's frantic shouts chilled them all as he carried her into the room where they were attempting to heal Tristan and Lancelot.
"AIDA! AIDA! I DON'T THINK SHE'S BREATHING! HELP ME…OH GODDESS, SOMEONE HELP ME!"