Sorry to leave you all with such a bad cliffhanger. I'm evil. But alas, this story wasn't meant to be humorous. Well, not most of it anyway. I'm sorry its taken so long to update, but my mind has been totally blank. Here ya go. As always, thanks for your great reviews! And please don't kill me with your pitchforks!
Chapter 9
"Arria! Must you be so impatient?!" Domitia exclaimed as two small hands dragged her further and further across the sand and closer to the waves ahead. Marciana clapped her hands, sending her servant closer, holding onto a pole that kept the sun out of her eyes.
A young girl finally gave up on her sisters and races down towards the waves as they splashed inward, giggling in delight at seeing the ocean for the first time. She reached down and picked up a tiny shell, but soon there were larger and far more interesting shells to get and she tossed the first one aside.
"Arria you'll get your robes wet!" Marciana called in dismay. The young child did not take in her sisters warning, and splashed around, the water at her knees. The father appeared and laughed good naturedly, standing a few feet from the tide. The youngest ran back to her older sister.
"Domitia!" she said, and her sister sighed, looking faintly amused. The child opened up her hand to reveal a most impressive shell, larger than any she'd seen.
"Very good Arria! You've found a conk shell!" her father called, trotting over to his daughters.
"What's so special about it?" Domitia asked.
Her father took the shell and placed it by his ear, smiling. "Why don't you find out?" He gave it to her, and after placing by her own ear, she let out a squeal of delight.
"How amazing!" she exclaimed, looking at her younger sister. "What good fortune Arria! What other shells have you found?" Upon hearing praise (which was rare), the child once more grabbed her sisters hand and dragged her slightly into the water, from which Domitia gave a slight 'Oh!' before digging her own hands into the sand.
After a servant was fetched with a bucket, the girls returned triumphantly with more than thirty various shells, from which they all made necklaces that night. Suddenly Arthur appeared, followed by Bors, and both started prancing all around while the girls clapped them on. Fifty Woads appeared, encircling them and holding hands and twirling all about in celebration!
"Where did you come from?" the little girl asked. Arthur simply smiled and took her conk shell, putting it up to his own ear.
"Give it back!" I yelled, my vision blurry. "Give…it…back…" I whispered once more, shaking my head as chuckling erupted. My body jerked up and down, as if I was on a horse.
"I say Irina, how much dosage have you given her?" The Archbishop called, but my vision was too blurry to see, and I closed my eyes once more, giving in to the darkness.
I cannot say what occurred over the next few weeks, for I can only recall dreams and nightmares. Irina must have kept me drugged everyday, for I barely remember anything. I came in and out of conscious, sometimes feeling the shaking motion as occurs on a horse, sometimes the rocking from a boat. Various smells past through my nose: the sea salty air, fire, horse manure, wheat, dirt. For those few conscious moments I could remember nothing of my past. I was fed ghastly mush, from which most would be thrown up later.
Finally, my eyesight became clear, my headaches decreasing, my five senses returning. She must have stopped administering the tonics, for now I was conscious most of the time, my hands and feet bound, as I was confound in a carriage. My dagger had been taken, and my body shivered. I shook violently in the night; a side effect of the drug. I felt like an animal, caged and alone and unsure of where we were headed. My thoughts drifted back to Britain, for I knew we were far from home.
It took a few days for my strength to return, and when it did, I gave them all a show. I beat the wooden boards wildly with my feet, screaming out every curse on their ancestors I could possibly come up with. Bors would be proud of that. I guess after a few hours the Archbishop couldn't take much more nuisance from me, because the carriage stopped and he came inside and kicked me hard in the ribs.
"QUIET!!" he screamed, the purple vain on his forehead popping. I simply laughed, which apparently, was not the smartest thing to do. I could barely move the next morning.
I took to staring in front of me, letting my mind wonder. Too many questions with no answers plagued my mind as I bit my nails. Was Lancelot alive? Was my king? Was anyone left? Why did these monsters spare me? What significance was I?
I dwelt on the fight I had with Lancelot just before this all happened, replaying it in my mind. I let two small tears escape my eyes before fiercely brushing them away. The first chance I had, I had to get out and return to Britain. I looked down. My hidden knife was still inside my boot. I could easily slip out and try to run for it. But when you have no idea where you are, it's a hard thing to do. So I waited.
A rainy summer had begun, and sometimes I could see only fog out my tiny window. One rather stormy night Irina opened my carriage, with her dagger drawn, and sat down beside me.
"If you don't mind, could you please leave the door open? I smell something foul entering" I asked nonchalantly. She hissed and side slap my cheek.
"I must say, you are tougher than I thought, Captain Arria of the King's Riders" she mocked. "How is it that a simple courtier from Rome reached such a title?"
"I've killed many people."
She did not look the least intimidated. Instead she smirked and shook her head. "Why do you think we spared your life, Arria Gaius?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Obviously your employer wants something from me. And I have no clue what that is."
She smiled, her dagger still inches from my side. "Hmm, I'm sure you'll remember when we get there."
"And where exactly are we going?"
To this, Irina laughed, throwing her head up. "Please, girl. We've been traveling for weeks on end. Although I suppose you have no recollection of that…" she opened up the carriage door and had me look out. My eyes widened in shock. Of course I had a feeling, but I wasn't sure. I gazed ahead of me in awe. We were but a few hundred yards from Rome itself. If my hands weren't bound I would have pinched myself to see if I wasn't dreaming.
"Soon we will meet up with my brother, and you'll meet our employer." She leaned in close to my ear. "I bet your dying to know who it is…" she whispered, and walked out of the carriage, locking the door behind her. I kicked it hard, raging within.
This was not supposed to be happening. I was supposed to be fulfilling my purpose. I had almost finished my training, and soon I was to have my first assignment and meet the men I was to have under me. And his face…it haunted me every waking moment. I prayed and prayed to God to know whether or not he was killed. It cut me like a knife to think of the inevitable. I couldn't say it allowed. I wouldn't. I was just beginning to find happiness in the most unlikely land, and all too soon everything I loved was snatched away. Was I being punished?
Soon the smells that could only be found in the marketplace filled my nose. Fish, scented oils, and camel manure all were mixed into one single aroma. I could hear the bustling of carts, donkeys honking their discontent, and laughter from the street urchins. I remained in the carriage as I heard the Ferdinand's soldiers barking at commoners to get out of the way. I could feel the windy roads we took, until all of a sudden the voices died away, and we stopped.
Irina opened the door and cut the ropes that held my feet together, though she kept the ones on my hands bound. I moved my feet around in pain, my ankles burning. She gripped my arm and forced me out. When I looked to see where we were, I almost laughed in spite of myself for my foolishness. One of the soldiers held a sword to my back and rushed my limping body inside, the others following.
Passed the doors and into the stoned palace we entered, servants trying not to stare at us as we went by. Ferdinand led us out of the main room and along a few corridors until we entered the master bedroom, where several flirty girls and boys sat, giggling and looking towards someone upon the bed. Upon hearing the door open, a scruffy bearded man sat up from his silk woven sheets and smiled peevishly at me. I sneered back as a soldier pushed me forward with his sword.
"Archbishop Ferdinand!" His voice bellowed, raising his arms in welcome as he got out of bed. A nearby servant got his robe as he beckoned his entertainment to leave.
The two embraced, laughing heartily. He then proceeded to give Irina too rather doggish kisses on her cheeks as she giggled, though when his eyes left her she narrowed her eyes in disgust.
"A job well done" he said, turning back to the Archbishop. "And what of the king and his men?" he asked, this time a bit quieter.
Ferdinand bowed his head. "Titus will be along shortly with his head, Senator. And it was done quietly, exactly how you wanted."
The Senator's eyes soon fell once more to me. "And I see you've accomplished bringing the girl back as well. Hello, Lady Arria Gaius. I trust your trip was most comfortable."
I struggled against the strong hold of the guard. "God will have his vengeance on you, Senator Gallus. Was it you who convinced Bishop Germanus to execute my entire family as well?" It hurt so bad to let these words exit through my mouth, but I had found out I had gotten stronger recently.
He smiled, opening up his mouth to reveal certain yellow teeth. He ignored my question, looking me over more thoroughly. "That savage land has certainly changed you. You used to be quite the lady." I looked down at my torn and tattered breeches, boots, and shirt. I smirked. I certainly had changed, now, I was deadly. I looked at his wrinkled neck, wanting to raise my knife to it right then and there. But I had been taught better.
"You fail to answer my question, Senator."
His eyes twinkled, amused by my chosen words. "My apologies. Actually, Germanus went against me in the murder of your family. You see, that is why you are here, Arria. I would rather have had your father himself, but it seems Germanus took matters into his own hands and put pleasure before business. And I here from young Alecto that you, my dear, caused his downfall." He started clapping mockingly. "Bravo. You made me have to deal with one less problem on my hand."
He was wearing me down, and I found my voice breaking. "Senator…why have you tried to assassinate my king?"
Ferdinand turned toward me. "Oh come now, silly girl. What I said at Hadrian's Wall was true. The Emperor wants his enemy dead. And he would rather not send an entire army to defeat your Arthur with the Hun at our doorstep."
Thinking about my knights dead…my emotions were very hard to control at that moment. I cleared my throat, trying to remain strong. It's what Arthur or Lancelot would have done. "Which brings me to my last question. What is it that you want from me, Senator?"
He devilishly grinned and winked. "All it good time, Lady Arria. Come now. You must be famished."
Irina cleared her throat, and the Senator turned to her, his look exasperated. "You'll get your earnings when your brother arrives." Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms in dismay.
The soldier was pushing me to follow the Senator, probably to some dungeon. Instead, I found myself being led into one of the guest bedrooms, and I raised my left eyebrow with confusion. Inside, even moreso to my surprise I found I had a guest.
"I will see you soon, my dear" Gallus stated with pleasure, and locked the door behind me.
"Arria!" Alecto said, embracing me like a brother. I found myself stiff, unsure of what to do. What was the Senator's game?
He let go, and looked into my worn out eyes. "Bless the Lord they haven't harmed you. You look absolutely dreadful though." He looked over my clothes, perplexed.
"What happened, Alecto? What happened when you arrived in Rome?" he took my hand and brought me to the bed, where we sat. My legs were still writhing in pain from the journey and my head longed to lay down on the silk pillow, but I fought off my want of comfort.
He downcast his head, ashamed. "I have been such a fool, my friend. I immediately wanted to tell the Pope everything, but he was away on personal matters and I could only speak with the Archbishop Ferdinand. I had no idea he was in on it. The Archbishop brought me to Senator Gallus under false pretenses that he would make all wrongs right if I tell him certain information regarding King Arthur. When I told him all that had happened he threatened myself and my family. I knew I had made a mistake. I spied on him as he wrote letters to the Emperor, and the Pope, all secret documents containing all my information. When I explained that your family was dead yet you had survived the Senator immediately wanted to know all there was to know about you." He paused, catching his breath. "Arria, your father and Pelagius held secrets from the Senators, even from the Pope. Do you have any idea what Gallus wants?"
I tried to remember what father and Pelagius always talked about, but it was hazy. I scrunched my face for a moment, trying with all my will to think of something. But nothing came. I shook my head.
Alecto began to look scared. I pondered for a moment, then guessed. "The Senator brought you here to try and get information out of me, didn't he?" At first Alecto looked shocked at such a statement, but slowly his eyes lowered in humiliation.
"He said if you tell me anything, you won't have to suffer. My mother won't have to suffer."
I closed my eyes, letting the rage envelop my soul once more. "I'm sorry Alecto. I'm so sorry." I looked over, to see him staring quite hard on the mosiac floor below us, his nostrils flaring.
I got closer, whispering in his ear. "We are not safe here. We must flee, as quick as possible, back to Britain…"
He stood up, glaring. "What Britain? All hope is lost, Arria! Your king is dead! Your land is gone! Your dream is done!" At that moment a servant walked quickly in and dropped a tray of fruit on the table, and left without a word. His eyes softened as he saw my look of complete denial.
"Arria…forgive me. I know this is all very difficult for you. Arthur…he was an amazing man. He made me believe that I could be strong. But we are fighting something much larger than ourselves. We're fighting an entire empire. There is no way we can go against the Pope and the Emperor. Some are just too powerful. As to whatever it is they want from you….make it up if you must. Save yourself."
I breathed in deep, shaking my head. "I would think that you of all people should understand that even emperors and popes are merely mortal men. If we fight in the name of our God, who cares whether they triumph over us in this world? It is in next world that we shall arise victorious. I need to go back to Britain, Alecto. It is in that country that lies freedom, but if you would rather stay here in the center of all this dishonesty and fraudulence, then cower in your corner and serve your mortal masters."
He stared at me for a long time, taking in my words. Finally he sighed. "You are much stronger than I, Arria. Please, at least eat something. You'll need your strength. I fear what is in store for you." He left, shutting the door softly behind him.
Knowing that the Senator would not return for quite some time, I lay down on the bed, crunching on an apple. The juices were like heaven to my lips; it had been ages since I was given real food. I began to reenact all that had just occurred inside my mind. Lancelot would be proud of you, my conscious said. I smiled, but inside my stomach lurched with what was to come. "I need you" I whispered silently, leaning against the pillow, his face fresh in my mind. "I need you so much."