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Our family had never let Branwain and I use the seeds before. We had been too young to use them when the Romans arrived, but Galina had used them a few times before we left. That night she invited us to use the seeds with her. I wish I could say I was slightly hesitant or at least cautious at first, but I can't. I was thoroughly excited at the idea and I thought I would still be in control of myself. I was wrong. We laughed at nothing and danced around the room with our arms wide open. When one of us began to shout nonsense, the other two would shush the loud one while giggling. The first hour or so was erratic and I found myself doing things that made no sense. I couldn't wipe the meaningless grin off my face. After that however, my experience was astral. Galina and Branwain still laughed and swayed, but I sat in front of the fire and was riveted by the golden flames licking the air itself. I don't know how long I stayed there but my face was chapped from sitting so close to the fire when I woke up next to the dying embers.
I was quiet that morning and barely spoke for the entire day. Branwain and Galina kept giving me worried looks as if they feared the fumes add addled my wits. I was fine, I knew that much, but I had decided not to repeat the experience. The ethereal feeling I had late into the night was unreal, but the part before made me shiver. I recoiled from the idea of not being in control of my actions. I abhorred the idea of being at the mercy of whatever whimsical thoughts passed through my head. There would be no more steam for me.
Several weeks later Branwain and Galina were sitting in the mess hall when I returned from a private scouting trip with Galeron. The scout had taken me near the wall to monitor the woads. He didn't seem surprised that more and more woads were coming over the wall, and he told me neither would Junius. After the second day I put two and two together.
"Rome's leaving Britain." I stated. He laughed and handed me a stick of some chalky black substance. I stared at it.
"What? You want me write the woads a letter?" I asked him sarcastically.
"Don't pretend to be stupid. It doesn't suit you." He replied. He took the stick and outlined my eyes. I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Is it very pretty?" I asked wryly.
"I would run far away if I ever thought you were angry at me." He said gravely. "You look like the Morrigan. The maiden, of course."
"If you had said the crone, I would have stabbed you." I said dryly.
"Lucky me." He said equally as dry. "It'll keep the sun out of your eyes."
"What sun?" I asked amusedly.
When we returned to the wall Scato gave me his usual condescending smile.
"My my. Trying to pass for a female? Is that why you're wearing cosmetics? It's not helping. A proper Christian woman would be in a dress and in her home. Not pretending to be a soldier." He said thinking he had shamed me. "Of course, we can't expect much from a barbarian…"
I sighed sadly.
"I was hoping to look enticing… but then I saw you, and I realized I couldn't compare to your beauty. My lady, you are a radiant flower among Romans…" I said with a sweeping bow. For a moment I thought he might run me through.
"My- my lady?" He could barely get the words out with out choking.
"Actually I wear it so I can see an enemy better. You know… Get an arrow right…through… the… heart." I said before he could get over his distress and gave him a predatory smile. He looked slightly taken aback at that. I locked eyes with him until he looked away and then I finally blinked. I gave Scato one last disgusted look before going to find Galina and Branwain.
"That. Is. Terrifying." Branwain said the moment I sat down. Galina grimaced and gently took my face. Her soothing hands held my face while she examined me.
"That won't do." She said and smeared the kohl with her thumb.
"I don't care what it looks like; Galeron gave it to me to see." I protested quietly. I didn't want to disturb her to much. She was playing with my hair.
"I just smudged it. It's not so harsh now, it's actually quite pretty in an exotic way." She said as she braided my hair. I tried not to feel drowsy.
"Of course if anyone else tried it, they'd look like a whore or a barbarian." Branwain said cheekily. I narrowed my eyes at her, unsure whether to feel flattered or insulted.
"Oh before I forget, Scato and I had a lovely conversation…"
I looked at Junius not sure whether it was his sick, twisted idea of a joke, or if he was serious. Galeron had just returned from a long trip and suddenly we were going to meet Arthur?
"Arthur? Artorius Castus and the Sarmatian knights? We're going to meet them?" Galina asked excitedly. She expected handsome knights in Roman armor. I remained silent.
"Don't twitch Branwain- Yes we're leaving tomorrow." Junius said looking at Branwain who was fairly buoyant with the idea.
"Why?" I asked sharply. Branwain gave me an annoyed look at ruining the moment. I ignored her though and tried to read his response.
"Irish." He said.
"How many?" I asked with some interest. As always, I was battle ready.
"Galeron has reported around two hundred, but there could be more. They've been using the coastal forests as a sanctuary. I sent Scato and his men there two days ago to meet up with them. Apparently the raiding horde is a bigger problem than we thought, so we're being sent for." He said grimly. I shrugged and went to go pack my things.
That night I found Galina making excuses not to go to dinner. There were circles under her eyes and she no longer had that healthy glow of a young maiden. Branwain shrugged and left to go to dinner but I stayed. I stood near her and waited for her to tell me what was wrong. I didn't need to ask; if she didn't want to talk about it, I could at least offer some comfort.
"I'm afraid." She said after minutes of silence. I looked at her surprised. It was not what I had expected. "Two hundred. That's an army."
"I'll be there." I said. "I swear I won't let any harm befall you."
I was not one for dramatic declarations, but I meant it. I would die for her if it was called for.
"I've never thought of what it would be to die on this island. Ever since I knew that I was dying, I never though of dying in battle." She said and her eyes were in some far off place I couldn't go. I couldn't save her from her thoughts. "What will my parents do if I never come back? This isn't my land. I don't want my bones to lay here."
"You will not die here." I promised. She smiled sadly.
"You can't save everyone." She said. I could try. "If I die here, send me east. Don't carry me. I want…Just put me in a boat and set fire to it. Let me sail east while I burn." I couldn't listen to her talk like that and I couldn't watch her glazed eyes stare into nothing, so I left her there and went to dinner.
The next day Junius surprised me by putting me in charge of Galina, Branwain and the other forty or so soldiers. We set off towards the coast and Arthur. I didn't let the others see how eager I was to see the knights. It wasn't meeting them that excited me; I wanted to see them in battle. Their feats were legendry and I wanted to test my skill against theirs.
Galina's disturbing tranquility faded away to girlish fantasies as we rode closer to the forests. Branwain as usual was talkative and outspoken. I however, reverted to my quiet self. The night before we arrived I made sure every arrow was perfectly constructed, that my bow was strung tightly, and that ever blade I owned was razor sharp. I polished my shield and honed the deadly edges. I made sure every leather scale of my soft yet thick harness was cleaned and I laid out my supple leather gauntlets and a blue tunic that was so dark it was almost black. Galina said it brought out my eyes and I wanted to impress. The next morning when we arrived, I went to greet with Scato, my fellow captain, and Arthur. Galina and Branwain rode with me automatically.
"You both look nice." I said staring straight ahead. Scato, looking as pompous as ever was in full Roman military attire and was on a new horse. It was a handsome horse, but not as big as our Sarmatian breed and it paled in comparison.
"Hello Princess." I said cheerily greeting Scato. At the sight of us he looked as though he was about to swat a fly. "That's a pretty pony. Let's race!" I finished in a sweet voice. He turned a lovely shade of rose which made Branwain's smile broaden. I heard several choked guffaws and sniggers and looked up to where several rugged looking men sat astride their horses. There was something distinctly familiar about them. It felt like I had found long lost kin and I realized I had just recognized my fellow Sarmatians. Before I could get a good look at them however, I was shocked to here a voice I had not heard in a long time.
"Well met Hecate." Lionel. I almost fell of my horse. I actually heard Branwain stop breathing. I quickly regained control of myself and gave him a small smile.
"Well, well. Lionel. A knight of the great wall." I drawled. He smiled at me and then at Branwain and Galina.
"Well, well. My fair lady Isolde. Leading Sarmatians and Romans alike. You're moving up in the world." He said as charming as ever. He looked older, more mature and stronger.
"Women in charge of armies…" Scato scoffed. I looked at him until he found something else to look at, the blush returning. My smile had long faded. I looked around at the other knights who were watching the exchange closely. Other than Lionel, there were seven men. I picked Arthur out immediately. I was a handsome man in his mid thirties with a flop of curly ebony hair. There was an air about him…His face was lined with kindness and his eyes were honest. I could see how men followed him. Here was a man who could lead. I had time to look at one more man before Arthur began to speak. He had even curlier dark hair and his chiseled face was flawless. His thin, well trimmed beard accentuated his aristocratic smile. I saw the jolt that went through Galina's body when she caught sight of him. She had found her knight.
"I'm Arthur from Hadrian's wall. You must be Isolde." Arthur said looking at me with a neutral expression. I nodded and held his gaze. I didn't think it would be very inspiring to gush about how much I had heard about him and his men.
"I can see why Lionel was so heartbroken at leaving Gaul." The perfect looking man said. I found myself smiling wryly at him. "I am Lancelot and we have all been forced to listen to Lionel rave about the beauty of the famed Amazons…" If Lionel was charming, Lancelot was godlike. Even my hot-headed cousin, who normally had something to say about everything, was speechless and pleased. I decided Lancelot was a good person to have around when it came to silencing Branwain.
"Lancelot, don't harass the captain." Arthur said in a practiced manner. I got the impression that this wasn't the first time Arthur had to keep Lancelot on a leash around women. "Ladies, we need to discuss the attack."
Arthur and I discussed the attack for the next few hours or so and by the time we had agreed on a plan of attack, I was forever impressed by Arthur. He was wise beyond my expectations. Galina and Branwain had gone to mingle with the knights and prepare.
"I've heard good things about you." Arthur said after had finished. I looked at him curiously. Wasn't that what I should be saying?
"I've heard colossal stories about you and your men from many people. Other than Lionel, what could you possibly have heard about me?" I inquired.
"Bela. He was quite impressed with you and the other two. He said you were the greatest student he had ever taught. I've been warned not to ever draw a sword against you if I valued my life." He said giving me an evaluating look. I returned it. I could not have been more pleased with Bela's praise.
"I am honored to be under your command." I said honestly. I may have been in charge of my own company of men, but I ultimately I was under the authority of Arthur. I liked this man.
I found Galina and Branwain sitting with the company of knights and I took a seat between Lionel and Galina. Lionel snaked an arm around my waist and looked at me.
"So Isolde. Should I be comforted that you and Arthur have joined forces to devise our plan?" He asked with mock worry.
"Me, perhaps so. Why would you fear Arthur's plan though?"
"Ahh." Lancelot said knowingly. "You'll learn soon enough. Arthur listens to his heart over his head sometimes."
"Well Isolde is the balance to that." Branwain said exasperatedly. I looked at her and smiled grimly.
"Still bloodthirsty?" Lionel asked. I didn't answer.
"Where's Balin?" I asked suddenly. All the men looked cheerless at the name and I felt my stomach drop. "When?"
"Not four months ago." A younger looking man said with a voice full of emotion. His brown curls, scruffy beard and cerulean eyes complimented his handsome face. There was something lion-like about his face and the passion he demonstrated.
"Woads…" Another man said. His long, tawny hair was unkempt but his face was pleasant and appealing. I realized Branwain and Galina must have discovered this earlier in the day as they looked only saddened, not shocked. I kept my face emotionless and looked away. "He was a good man. I'm Gawain and that is Galahad."
I nodded. Balin was free.
"Ah! I see not all of my fellow knights have introduced themselves to you." Lancelot said as if he was ashamed of them. I looked around at the three other knights who I had yet to hear speak. "Men, be friendly. This is Isolde. Master of Scato."
"I'm Bors and I'm the only one with any sense around here." A coarse man with a shaved head said loudly.
"Dagonet." A giant man said. The last man, who had not said a single word to anyone since I sat with them, continued skinning the hare someone had caught. He looked up for a moment and gave me a calculating look which I returned. His piercing hazel eyes, prominent cheek bones and thin, bowed lips made for a handsome yet feral appearance. As if to accentuate his striking looks, his cheeks were tattooed with what reminded me of talons and his dark hair and capricious braids were untamed. He held the look for a moment and I wondered what he had observed about me.
"Tristan." He said dispassionately. Another moment passed and I realized admiringly that I had never met a person who had unsettled me so. I was finding slightly difficult to actually hold his gaze, but I managed. He looked down and continued his work while I turned to Branwain and began to discuss the attack that we would launch at dawn.
I awoke when it was still dark and most everyone was still asleep. It was to the largest battle I had ever been in and I was torn between excitement and worry. I was in charge of a group of men. It was my fault if they died. They would die while carrying out my orders. The thought made my skin crawl. I didn't want to be responsible for anyone other that myself. Of course I always felt responsible for Galina and Branwain. It had been my idea that had led to us being taken by the Romans. If I died with a sword in my hand, it would be enough for me. I tried pushing these thoughts away by walking down to the creek. It was quiet and untouched. The sounds of nature filled my ears as I sat down and I closed my eyes. I focused on each sound and smell individually. Eventually I stood up and splashed my face with the icy water. I made my way back to the camp feeling much better and began to go over my equipment. I had a quiver packed with arrows and my old Phrygian helmet was polished. I smiled at my odd assortment of weapons; my first weapon, a gold adorned dagger my father gave me in my ninth summer, my mother's curved sword which Branwain had dubbed Pata, killer, the machaira Bela gave me, the bow I myself had made, and the deadly shield that Llyr had made me. I nodded at Dagonet when I saw him wake up and he gave me a small smile. I reverently put on my goatskin harness and gauntlets. I strapped my dagger to my thigh and put both my swords on my back. I attached my quiver, bow and shield to my saddle and stroked Kolaksay's neck. He snorted and nuzzled my neck. I spent the next hour with my horse until everyone was awake and ready. I mounted him and rode into the camp to hurry up Galina and Branwain.
"Try and be a little more eager." Gawain said in a mock reprimand in reference to the fact that I was dressed and mounted before everyone had even woken up. I shrugged my shoulders and grinned. Branwain, who was known to sleep like a rock, was not yet awake. Ridiculous! I hopped down from my horse and grabbed a water skin while smiling wickedly.
"ISOLDE!" She choked out. She leapt up and shook off the chilled water. Before she could tackle me I raised my hand.
"There's a severe punishment for striking your commanding officer." I said solemnly and she growled. I dodged her neatly as she landed face first where I had been standing. "The least you could do is make a good stab at it."
"Galahad, I think I've found something more amusing that you!" Bors said throwing an arm around me. I shook my head amusedly. I had expected cold, merciless killers, not real men. The only man who seemed to fit that mold was Tristan, and I found him disquieting. I caught Galina gazing at Lancelot and she blushed prettily and began to outline my eyes with my kohl. She smudged it as usual and Gawain whistled. I liked these men already.
Our attack was swift. Those who were mounted rode into the forest first and were followed by the foot soldiers. As soon as they heard us coming, the Irish fled. We chased them out of the trees and onto the coast. They never had time to get on their ships however. In the forest, seven raiders had fallen with my arrows sticking out of their backs, but once we burst out of the trees, I drew Pata. I rode behind a man with ginger hair and lopped off his head. My assault was almost absentminded as I tried to watch the knights. Bors, Tristan, and Galahad fired arrow after arrow until eventually they turned to other weapons. Bors' knuckle blades fascinated me. He was absolutely brutal with his punches. Galahad's weapon of choice was a smaller sword which he swung with lightening speed. I watched with morbid fascination as Gawain's mace crushed his victim's skull, and Dagonet's huge sword practically severed a man in half. Arthur fought like a hero from some romantic tale. His sword strokes were not merciful in the least, but he still managed to look as if he offered his enemy an honorable death. It was Lancelot and Tristan who managed to impress me the most though. I had never seen fighting like that. The three men who I watched him kill in a matter of seconds never had a chance. A slice across the stomach while a second sword slashed the throat of another man and then both swords impaled the last one. Tristan fought with only one curved, sabre like sword. He was artful in his killing. His sober face and eyes focused on each man he killed as if they were the only two men on the battlefield. He was in no hurry and I saw no rage in his fighting. He was simply enjoying the fight and doing what came natural to him. All at once I was filled with a strange excitement knowing I was fighting with these men. I was off Kolaksay in an instant with Pata and my shield in hand. A rat like man leapt at me and I parried his blow, while our swords were entangled I swung the shield at his head and neck. The sharp shield edge caught the side of his neck and ripped through it nearly beheading him. Before his body hit the ground I was on to a new man. He swung a huge sword at me and I jumped back to keep it from cleaving me in two. I stepped on the flat side of the blade before he could raise it. I applied pressure suddenly and the hilt fell from his hands. He had an instant to look bewildered before I shoved my sword at an angle through his neck into his chest. Another man caught my eye. I watched as he beheaded a Roman soldier with an expert sword stroke. He looked up and saw me. I smiled and he made his way towards me. I put Pata back in her sheath and drew the machaira. We circled each other for a moment and he suddenly lunged at me. He was good and the fight lasted several minutes. Finally he raised his sword to strike at my shoulder, but at the last moment he twisted the sword to try and impale my torso. I turned quickly in a circle and hacked at his middle in an upward motion. A second later he fell with a deep rift from his ribs to his ear. I killed a few more men when I decided to look around for Branwain and Galina. I thanked the gods that I did because I saw Branwain trying to take on an isolated group of seven or so Irish. She threw herself into them and killed one with her knife and another with her crowbill. A solid knock from a shield sent her flying away. Stupid stupid stupid. I ran towards her shoving random people as I went. I reached her just as a man was about to chop her to bits. I crouched under his swing and slit his middle open. Branwain jumped up and scrounged for her weapon while I turned sideways to avoid one man's thrust while I slashed the throat of another. I thrust my sword into the fighter behind me and ignored the pain of a blow to my shoulder. I had my dagger in my hand in an instant and put it the offending man's throat. I killed one more just as Branwain's crowbill thudded into the last man's chest. Slightly humbled, she thanked me.
"That was foolish." I said darkly and swung my shield at the man who tried to axe her. She nodded and disappeared into the battle again. I did the same and soon it was over.
The dead were sorted and burned by that evening. Ten of the forty men Junius had put under my charge had died and I told myself that it could have been worse, but I couldn't help the cold feeling in my stomach. I wondered if Arthur felt the same heavy, guilt every time one of his men died.
"You can't blame yourself." Gawain said laying a hand on my shoulder.
"The Roman's put us on this island. We do the best we can." Galahad said and handed me a wet cloth. I stared at it blankly until I realized what I must have looked like. I touched a bloody hand to my face and it came away even bloodier. I wiped my hands clean and checked on Branwain and Galina.
They were already cleaned up wiping down their horses. Branwain smiled at me and I returned it. I gathered my weapons and headed down to the stream. Perhaps some people could go to sleep with everything they owned covered it someone else's blood but I couldn't…It might damage my weapons. I took off my armor and scrubbed quickly at my hair and face. My tunic would need to be washed when I returned to the fort but in the mean time I could put on my spare. I began vigilantly cleaning my armor and weapons, not letting one speck of gore escape the rag. It was soothing and I was startled at the sharp call of a bird. I looked to where a hawk was flying straight towards Tristan, who was some ways down the embankment. The hawk landed on his arm and he thumbed the black and copper bird's beak. Tristan felt my stare and turned towards me. He made his way to me as I continued to scour my armor. I found him staring at my machaira and I tossed it to him. He nodded in thanks and examined the blade. He examined the sword avidly.
"Good sword." He said appreciatively.
"It's Greek. They used them centuries ago. Best way to slice through bronze armor." I replied evenly. "Your sword…It's from the East?"
He nodded and handed the sword back to me. The bird on his shoulder nipped at his ear and he looked at it.
"You hungry eh?" He said with a degree of affection. I kept the grin from my face. Strange man…
"Do you have a name for her?" I asked still looking at the helmet in my hands.
"A name means nothing to her." He said. "You fight well."
And with that he walked towards camp and I had a feeling praise was uncommon from the scout.
Crappy way to finish but I'm tired! I'm trying to make some parallels between Galina and Lancelot by the way… Comments? Reviews? If you are curious to what Isolde's mother's sword looks like, google up Russian kindjal and you can also look up a greek machaira. Comments? Reviews? Please?
