Author's Notes: - Thank you for the reviews. Enjoy!
OO
The night was still but he could feel it all the same. A disturbance in the air, the rustle of the leaves and a large number of owl calls were the only indications that all was not well. Lancelot sat staring at the distant treeline not really seeing it at all. Snow had started to fall again and the air chilled as darkness settled on the surrounding countryside. He supposed if he looked carefully enough he would be able to see the faint shadows of people moving in between the tree trunks but he decided he would rather ignore the inevitable at least for the moment. His swords lay in his lap; he had sharpened them and polished them until they shined as if new.
He was also well aware that Plautius had climbed the steps to the battlements and was currently stood a few paces behind him.
'What do you think I am going to do jump off?' he thought. 'Wouldn't want to give anyone the satisfaction'
The Roman hadn't spoke and was obviously waiting for Lancelot to break the silence first. It was many minutes before the knight spoke and even then it was only three syllables.
"Go away." Plautius didn't move. After the silence dragged for a few minutes longer the knight again spoke.
"Can I help you with something?" he snapped.
"You shouldn't antagonise him. He is not Arthur he will make life more difficult for you."
"He could try! Are you sure you should be seen talking to a Sarmatian Knight?" The knight sighed as he rose to his feet, sheathing his weapons as he did so.
"The fact that I attempted to defend you has already got me in enough trouble." Plautius shrugged with a smile.
"You should not have bothered." Lancelot muttered as he brushed past him. Plautius followed and they clattered down the stairs.
"What is your problem?" the Roman demanded grabbing hold of Lancelot's arm, pulling him round to face him.
"Let go of me." Lancelot snarled. Looking around quickly Plautius stepped closer.
"Julio is a loose tongued fool and we both know it. Why are these words having such an effect? He has said a lot worse."
"You think I don't bloody know that. I am well aware of his opinions regarding myself."
"Then what is the problem?"
Lancelot's shoulders dropped and he was about to respond when a sentry came barrelling down the stairs, ploughing into the pair of them. Lancelot stumbled and Plautius grabbed him to prevent him falling.
"What is the hurry?" Plautius asked dreading the answer.
"Someone has placed crosses in the fields and has set them alight. They just appeared and I can see no one but I know they are out there…waiting." The sentry hurried away to report to Julio. The two quickly returned to the battlements watching the burning crosses. Lancelot sighed heavily and he turned as he heard Jols hurry up the steps.
"Are they ready?" he asked the squire.
"Almost." Jols responded "Although many want to fight here."
"That could still be an option if they don't get a move on. Make sure Vanora and every one of Bors' bastards are among the first out. If anyone of them gets a scratch he will have my head."
"Definitely."
"Excuse me what are you two talking about?" Plautius demanded. "Please tell me you haven't done something that is going to get you both in serious trouble."
Lancelot looked at him with an expression of innocence and then a devilish grin.
"Fine I won't tell you."
"Now I know why Arthur always looks on the verge of a heart attack when your name is brought up in any discussion about any incident within the fort."
"I like to keep him on his toes."
A commotion near the fort headquarters caught the trio's attention. Julio emerged and seemed to be issuing frantic orders.
"Well I was almost correct, the Woads haven't yet burst inside but I imagine they will attack at dawn. Get Arthur's horse saddled and ready."
"Arthur's?" Plautius questioned but Jols nodded in agreement and hurried to the stables.
"Scimitar is injured. Demon is not trained. I am going to need a horse."
"And what do you need a horse for?"
"Well I don't think a donkey will be up for it…Oh by the gods he is coming over." Lancelot smirked and adopted his usual relaxed pose.
"Plautius there is a briefing in five minutes. I want you there!"
"Am I invited?" Lancelot asked. Julio regarded the knight as if he was a disgusting mass that he had just scrapped off his shoe.
"If you set foot inside I will have you placed in the cells, bound and gagged so I won't have to listen to you again."
"I will take that as a no then. Well I'll leave Roman business to the Romans…I need to find some weapons and something that will make a big bang preferably with lots of fire!"
Plautius coughed to cover a laugh as he saw Julio's face turn thundery. As soon as the knight had started walking away Julio turned his rage to Plautius.
"Control him or there will be a problem and I cannot guarantee his safety."
'Of course not. You will be the one causing the problem.' Plautius thought angrily.
"I will try sir, but if I may be so bold sir we could use him. He is a Sarmatian knight who by all accounts is an excellent fighter."
"He may well be but he is barely controllable, even Arthur has trouble with him. He is more likely to kill someone on our side."
Plautius scowled. "Sir I am sure he can differentiate between the two."
Julio stepped closer. "I know for some reason you have formed a friendship with that knight but if you know what is good for you end it. We are Romans and we do not befriend below us. He is a slave of Rome."
Julio turned. "Briefing now." Plautius had no choice but to follow.
O
"What do you mean the tracks have disappeared?" Arthur whispered harshly.
"Well exactly as it sounds." Galahad replied. Arthur glared at him.
"Mounted patrols don't just vanish! So we have been tricked?"
"It would appear so." Tristan replied with a shrug.
"You are the best tracker we have. How could you have fallen for this?"
"Perhaps because he has been working non stop ever since we left the fort!" Bors snapped.
"Its not the first time we've all had to stretch ourselves." Arthur replied angrily.
"Then we've had a pressing reason, not just finding some bloody lost Roman cavalry who have probably been rotting for some time." The knight continued.
"This is not a democracy. You do as you are told whether you agree with me or not. What in gods name has come over you?"
"You wouldn't understand."
Arthur sighed. "Fine. I won't push it but now is not the time to talk over this. When we get back to the wall we are going to have a long conversation and for the rest of this mission you are going to address me as your commander. I do not want to repeat myself." Arthur's tone booked no arguments.
"Yes sir!" Bors snapped sarcastically.
"Now Tristan suggestions?" The knight considered his reply carefully.
"They are taunting us. I do not believe this is a simple matter of Romans siding with Woads. These tracks have been planted. This ground here has been disturbed to remove all trace of their movement. They probably doubled back."
"Doubled back where? For what purpose?" Gawain asked.
"To get us lost and pick us off one by one." Galahad responded morbidly.
"Yes but we are hardly in unknown territory. Most of this is familiar to us." Gawain replied.
"So they are just leading us on a merry dance?" Bors questioned angrily.
"It would seem so." Tristan responded.
"Where is the nearest Woad village?" Arthur asked.
"About five miles back towards Baden Hill."
"Tristan I want you to head there and monitor them, see if there is anything amiss in their actions. Meet back up with us as soon as you have found anything. If not I want you back within two days."
Tristan nodded and remounted his mare before speeding off.
"That again leaves us with nothing." Gawain said softly. "I agree with Tristan." He added. "Something is not right here."
"A Roman cavalry unit will not know anything about the positioning of any large number of troops on the wall nor will it be of any particular use in combat given how small in number they are. Why go to all this trouble?" Dagonet asked.
"I don't know. As Bors said this could have a simple explanation and they could have been dead all this time."
"I hate mysteries." Galahad groused. Gawain nodded in agreement. Mysteries never had good outcomes.
OO