Misguided Roses Chapter 8
Okay, I'm really trying to write as much as I can before school starts up again next week, because after that, chapters will be sparse. We're getting back more into the plot and less of those awesome but fluffy love scenes, haha. Hope you like. And yes, I took various lands and names that were real back in the dark ages, but mixed into one time period. No historical accuracy whatsoever. And thank you so much for your awesome reviews. Yes, I must edit more carefully, haha, thanks. Enjoy!
Of course, I couldn't sleep that night, and found myself practicing various staff workouts, courtesy of Guinevere. I can't help but express the level of improvement I've made over the past few months concerning my new warrior skills. That's not to say I'm an expert, or can even stand up to any of the Sarmatian knights in battle…but I was most definitely better at throwing spears, hand to hand combat, tracking, swordsmanship, horseback riding, hunting…basically everything I needed to learn for my post training I had, and according to Arthur, learned well.
After the first hour of staff work, I lit a candle by my bed and began reading one of the record scrollsthe Kinghad given me, the most up to date history on this island, including more maps.
After reviewing a few things I already knew, I looked out my small window and noticed the first outline of light blue appearing towards the east. It would be dawn soon. I got dressed, this time in brown breeches and a cloth shirt that I quickly threw over my head, tying the strings that held it together near the collar. There would be much to do today; no need to dress formally. I pulled my hair back with one of my spare pieces of string. I tied on my black leather boots, from which Lancelot made a slit in the left heel to cleverlyinsert a knife, and attached my dagger into my belt. I decided not to add my sword, for I was certain we would all be sitting down for a good part of the day strategizing our moves.
Upon entering the room of the Round Table, I took notice that I was still a good hour early. Nevertheless, I took my seat, not tired in the least, after placing a lit torch into its berth to light the room. I noticed that during the night Jols must have left us various maps of the land, including where Titus said the Romans would land. I took the nearest map and stared intently on it. Placing my elbow on the table, with my fist on my chin, I sighed. If the Romans have indeed, landed already, we were deeply in a sore spot. Hadrian's Wall still was in tact; that would be our best defense. I suddenly let my mind wander back to my first battle, and how naïve and green horned I was. If what Titus says was true, that means this time we'll be facing twice as many Romans as there were Saxons last time. Staring at the map, I noticed we were a good three day journey south of them. It would take too long to send help from Kent in the southeast. The Lord of Dumnonia was having his own internal problems and could probably not send help, even though he wasour closest ally geographically. Powys most certainly was out of the question, because that was supposed to be my first stop as Captain of the King's Riders, due to the corruption and turmoil under the tyranny of 'king' Cyngen, who refused to pledge allegiance to Arthur the High King.
This was not good. "Couldn't sleep?" Arthur asked, coming into the room, Guinevere following.
I stood up, and bowed. He nodded slightly, and all three of us sat. "It's not looking good, your Majesty." I began, my face solemn with truth.
The King took some of the maps from my reach and began scanning them, just as I had done minutes ago. He scratched the side of his left cheek with frustration.
Guinevere glanced at the maps, but soon looked back into her lover's face. "My King, how do we even know these Romans have landed? Perhaps Titus lies, and the Romans won't be here for months-"
Arthur cut her off. "Perhaps he lies, but I will not take any chances. I have sent scouts toward the northern Penwith region. We should know soon whether they are here. In the meantime, we have to be prepared for an attack."
I stared at the table. "My Lord, we cannot get support from regions nearest us. We will be outflanked 3:1." As I was speaking Merlin walked in, and stood behind Arthur. Gawain and Galahad also trudged in, both expressing the same nervous glances. Lancelot and Bors followed minutes later.
"Summon the priest Titus and his sister." Arthur commanded to Jols, who nodded his head.
Over the next few hours we planned our strategy, though everyone had a sense that we could not possibly win against such a massive force, if Titus' information was correct.
I noticed Titus kept his mouth quiet most of the time, his eyes downcast in shame. I took pity, knowing slightly how he felt.
Merlin assured Arthur every single Woad warrior was ready for battle once more, and he had even sent some of his own scouts late last night to make their own predictions of what was in store.
New scrolls were brought for Arthur to draw, using his quill, various battle tactics to use this time around.
"This indeed will be more difficult than anything we have undertaken, especially adding to the fact that these Roman military soldiers know our style of fighting, since I grew up with these same knowledge as they of how to win wars." There was a sense of sadness in his voice, as if he himself were already predicting doom. "We will stay here all night if we have to, and come up with a surefire plan to beat them on our soil."
Supper was brought as the sun began to make its way down on the land once more. We were all weary from thinking. I sipped my gauntlet of wine a little faster than normal. I looked across the table at Bors, who was on his third drink, the wench looking at Arthur to make sure it was okay. The Lady Irina had retired to her room long before, as she wasn't exactly key to helping out. Glancing at Lancelot, I noticed he was blankly staring ahead, not even touching his food or wine. He knew there was no way to get out of this patch alive.
Taking a slight break to digest our food, I retired from the room for a moment to stretch my legs. I walked down several torch lit corridors and once more entered into the King's Armory. I looked on to Tristan's sword, fascinated with its curved shape. Hearing the men talk about him all the time, I wish I had a known him a little better.
"Amazing, isn't it?" I turned around quickly, not hearing anyone come into the room. I sighed when I saw Titus leaning against the wall in praise, but my eyes narrowed. Even I had gotten better at hearing others approach, and this priest was uncommonly stealthy. I sniffed.
"What is, exactly?"
He pointed up to Tristan's sword. "The only places you find these swords are to the east, the end of the world. And Britain is about as far your away from the Far east you can get" he smirked, walking along with his hands behind his back. Suddenly his smirk disappeared and he looked forlorn upon seeing the various Roman shields displayed. "I never thought the day would come where I would give up Rome."
I gulped, knowing exactly how he felt. "You come to learn after being away that Rome is just a name. Rome was more so whatever you grasped in your heart." He stared at me for a moment, a bit bewildered. This man was forever changing his facial expressions. I sighed and said, "We should get back."
By midnight, Arthur was getting more frustrated by the minute. "Can you come up with nothing better?!!" he shouted at Gawain, who had suggested massive fire assaults.
Our king got up and stamped his fist on the table. "We have just begun to change this land!! We are not one year in and already you give up on something we've bled for at Badon!"
Every knight had his head down, not knowing quite how to reply. Guinevere got up and put her arm on his shoulder, beckoning him that shouting will do no good. His fiery eyes were softened, and he stopped breathing so heavily. Sitting back down, he rubbed his hand across his forehead. "Forgive me, my brave warriors. Please, enough for today. Perhaps in dreams the way to our victory can be shown." We all got up, and after bowing, headed to our respective quarters. I had wanted to stay, to discuss something with Arthur, and found that Lancelot stayed seated as well. After everyone had left and the doors were shut, Lancelot spoke.
"Arthur, I don't like this. This whole thing sounds rash and silly on the Emperor's part. We're not even sure there is an army landing here as we speak. If we don't trust the uncle, what makes you think his nephew speaks the truth?"
Arthur sighed in annoyance. "I would rather not believe Titus' words as well, my friend. It would make things much easier. But as king you can't take chances." It was his way of letting us go. I had wanted to speak with him on another matter, but held my tongue. It would do no good to speak to a cross king.
Walking along the corridor I stopped Lancelot. "Why don't you trust this Titus? Can't you see he is ashamed of his uncle and like me, ashamed of the new corruption in the Roman Church? He is a priest."
He was also frustrated, and turned his black eyes on me. "And how do you know that this is not the true way all Christians act? It seems to me this god of yours wants blood, not love. Every single Catholic I have encountered has turned out to be nothing but a savage beast!" His voice was rising, and on saying that last sentence my eyes narrowed in anger.
"And am I a savage beast, sir knight?" I enquired, my own voice rising.
For a second he seemed apologetic, but it soon turned to reproach. "I think you are confused because your father must have spoken of some new religion, because the Roman Church has always been corrupt and unforgiving and bloodthirsty! Your God is nothing but a tyrant as much as any emperor!"
"Please respect my religion, Lancelot" I said, quieter than before. "I do not badger you of your beliefs."
"Just think, Arria. What kind of god puts evil men in power 'in the name of the Holy Spirit'. What kind of god forbids the union of bodies before the sanctity of marriage but allows his own bishops to rape young girls?"
My whole body tensed, and I found myself sneering. "Is that what this is all about, Lancelot? The fact that I refuse to bed with you? I know you've been frustrated with it, but honestly, in a time like this your going to bring that up??! You are pathetic!" I began to turn and walk up the steps when he grabbed my arm forcefully.
"Listen, Arria, put such petty accusations aside. We are about to be in battle, against a race I have long been wanting to go to war with. You have much to learn dealing with the true ways this world works. Do not act like a silly young girl." He let go of my wrist, and walked the opposite direction.
After opening my door, I slammed it shut, too mad to….function. My eyebrows were so crunched together in frustration I thought they would stay like that forever. Crossing my arms across my chest, I haughtily sat myself on my bed, not even taking off my gear. He's just frustrated with this dooming situation, one part of me said. We all are frustrated, there's no need to attack the ones you care about! Another side of me fought back. I sighed and rested my head against my soft pillow.
A few moments later I heard a knock on my door. "What?!" I screamed, not wanting to deal with him.
"Lady Arria?" a soft voice squeaked. "It's me, Irina. I was hoping we could talk?" I sighed and went over to open the door. Irina, looking very meek and nervous, came into my room and I pleaded her to sit on the chair across my bed. I plopped back down, trying to take off the murderous expression my face probably bore.
"I'm terribly sorry to bother you.." she began, and I gave her a smile to make her feel more at home. "But I need to talk to someone."
When she didn't continue I stated, "I'm all ears."
She nodded, her eyes still downcast. "I am very much afraid, Lady Arria. I had no idea I would be involved in the middle of a war. I just came along to be with my brother. I dare not tell him I wish to go home, because I'm afraid he doesn't think much of home anymore. He feels betrayed by the Church. I am a simple courtier. I want nothing to do with battles and warfare. Please, is there any way for me to leave, tonight? Without telling my brother? He'll make me stay, I know he will." There was desperation in her voice, and I immediately felt sympathetic, though I was a bit turned off by the fact that she did not care for her brother's safety.
"Lady Irina, why would you return to such a corrupt place? They'll know you betrayed your uncle and they will charge you with treason."
She pleaded with me, "No! I cannot stay, Arria! I do not care what happens to me in Rome. I have friends, they can protect me. I must leave tonight! And if no one knows, if the Romans win this battle I will be too far for them to track."
I narrowed my eyes, not quite understanding her reasoning, but then again, the female species is hard to understand, even for other females.
I rolled my eyes and sighed, agreeing to help. "Alright. Pick out one of my throwing knives and keep it hidden. There is a secret passageway out of the fortress, through the armory and behind the shield of Glastonbury. Behind it is a small opening into a cave that will take you to a stream well outside Hadrian's Wall, unnoticed by anyone." She smiled wide, nodding her understanding.
Suddenly I began to feel a little light headed. "You'd best leave now. Good luck on your journey." I said, the headache getting worse. She continued to smile and did not leave her chair.
"Please, Irina, I know your scared but its now or never. I trust you can make it to the armory alone?" My heart began to throb harder and harder, and I pressed my hand to my chest.
"Are you alright?" she exclaimed, and I immediately nodded, though I didn't feel alright. My chest was pounding, and soon I felt my legs beginning to grow numb. My head was woozy.
"Are you sure your alright?" she said. My throat burned, and I tried to speak, though it was hard. I looked at her, and noticed she was smiling….a little too joyfully.
"You poisoned us, didn't you?" I hoarsely stated, and found my throat collapsing. She simply laughed.
"Oh, Arria, please. Poison works too quickly, I had to find a tonic that first paralyzed the body and made its victim black out. Ferdinand wanted it to be done without fuss, so only sleeping tonics take hours after drinking to work." My eyes narrowed, and I lunged at her!
I could not feel my body anymore, and I fell to the ground. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. "You see, Arria, there's no need to be killing you yet. The others, my brother can deal with. And you just supplied me with our escape route." She bent down, next to my face which was lying flat against the floor. "You see there was no Roman legion. That part was made up to have you trust us. Nifty idea, really. Ferdy knew that your pathetic king was far too trustworthy. A great assassination scheme." My eye sight was blurring, though I willed myself to stay awake. I needed to get up. I needed to warn the others…Lancelot.
The wench went on. "After Titus deals with your sleeping king, I told him to visit your lover next, too drugged up to even know he's about to be killed. I told Titus to cut him up, piece by piece." Though my body was stiff, I raged within, wanting to slit her throat right then and there. You will pay, I told her within my mind. You will pay dearly.
The door opened, revealing the Archbishop. Irina walked over and kissed him savagely on the lips. "Is it done?" she asked, in quite a superior tone. I need not explain what she meant, it was too horrifying to think.
"I took care of one of the knights who wasn't in his chambers, the rest Titus is dealing with right now. Did she tell you a way out?" he asked, his voice hushed.
"Yes. Follow me." The Archbishop walked over to where I lay and gave me a good kick, though I couldn't feel anything.
"Good." He bent down. "Your in for a long ride, pretty dear", he exclaimed, chuckling evilly. It was then that darkness claimed me.