Lioness1- Sorry! Sort of…hahaha…
Burnt Alice- Yeah I was in a bit of a funk… I was like "hmm…I can't remember how to write..wow"
Brandy Lebuea- Yeah in the book and legend, before his momma shacked up with Uther, she was married with kids…
Hahah yes! Now you can all hate Yseult instead of Isolde! MUAHAHAH my plan is working…
I woke sharply as if I had awakened from a nightmare. My body and mind were fully alert, as if they had been preparing all night for the battle that was to come. I didn't open my eyes however. There was no light to stream through my eyelids, and there were no sounds to filter through my door. It could possibly the last moment of peace I knew on earth. Eventually I parted my eyelids and stared through the murky darkness. It was too early to have woken up, but I knew I would not be able to sleep again.
My feet made no sound as I padded through the hall. I quietly went into Gawain's room and peered at my friend with his mane of tawny hair. I remembered the first few months of wall life. Mine, Galahad and Gawain's trysts… I drew my dagger and walked forward. I gently lifted up a long rope of hair and cut if off. I tied it and tucked it around my finger. I touched his cheek and padded out of his room. Next, I visited Galahad's room. His face was mild and at peace for once… I kissed his brow and began to make myself to Tristan's room. I waited outside his door for several minutes. Tristan woke easily… I mustered my courage and opened the door. I held my breath as I tiptoed to his bed. He was frowning deeply as he slept. I leaned over and kissed his lips gently. I slid my coral ring off my finger and laid it on the small stand near his bed. It was only after I had shut his door that I realized that his breathing had changed when I touched him.
"Mm?" Galina's mumbled as I laid in bed beside her. Geraint snored softly in his rough crib. Galina's skin was pallid and covered with a thin layer of perspiration. She cracked her eyes open and looked at my face. She wound an arm around me and snuggled into me. I suddenly remembered being a child and sharing a bed with my brother. On cold nights we had huddled together in the same fashion. He would be nineteen now. I wondered if he had taken a wife by now. Were my parents still alive? I had often wondered what would have happened had I kept my mouth shut that day we learned of the Romans heading towards our tribe. I was twenty one. I would most certainly have been married…possibly with children. Branwain would be alive…But she never would have learned to love Lionel. And Galina never would have found her knight. And the sweet babe Geraint would never have been born. All things happened for a reason. Good or bad… Eventually when a foggy glow slithered into the room, I stood up and kissed Geraint. Galina and Geraint would ride in a wagon with Vanora and her children for a day. Being too ill to fight, she would need to get away from the conflict. Should Arthur and I be killed, she was to return to Sarmatia with the knights. If we survived, and Galina came back to us, Lancelot would take Geraint back to Sarmatia with him. As much as it pained Galina, she knew it would be better for the child.
Getting ready for battle was an almost intimate experience. I made sure every weapon I owned was clean and polished. I strung my bow and tested it. Perfect. I sharpened the edges of my shield until they could cleave a man's head in two. My swords were sharpened. I ran a finger over the edges and smiled as my finger came away bloody. The dagger my father had given me was strapped to my thigh. I lovingly put on my harness and gauntlets. I polished my Phrygian helmet and set it next to my shield. I was restless. I ate some bread and crumbly cheese, but I could get nothing else down. I drank an entire flagon of water. I would not do well to get dehydrated. My last act was to smear on my kohl. Over the years it had become part of my routine…Whether I was scouting or not, it comforted me. Plus it unnerved the enemy.
Eventually I could sit there no longer. I gathered what I needed and trekked to the stables. I loaded everything onto my sable colored horse. Kolaksay stayed perfectly still as I saddled him and hauled my shield onto his back. He stood erect and alert. Ready for battle. I proudly patted his nose. Such a horse… He was never nervous or edgy. Fidgety horses me uneasy. I was not surprised to find Jols awake. He handed me a quiver of arrows packed tightly. I secured it to my saddle. Last but not least, I tucked Branwain's crowbill into my saddle. I looked forward to killing as many Saxons as possible with her weapon of choice. I could avenge her no other way. Once I was done, I hopped on to Kolaksay and rode out to the edge of the forest. I waited at the edge for a sign. I was quickly motioned forward by a woad. He tied my stallion to a tree and pointed me to the right. I wandered through a huge encampment of woads until I found Arthur and the woad leaders. I nodded to Modron and Kaherdin as I sat next to my commander. Guinevere smiled grimly at me and March squeezed my shoulder. Gwyar, Merlin and several other woads continued speaking. We ran over the plans once more. Already peasants were out in the fields pouring tar into trenches dug the night before.
The sun would not shine that day. The thick blanket of clouds dulled it down to a dreary white glow. The Saxons would be lining up… Arthur and I finally went back to our horses. I tightened Arthur's Roman armor for him and I shoved my helmet on. Ealasaid suddenly appeared with a small pot of dark blue paste. She motioned for me to remove my helment. She dipped a thin stick into it and drew a symbol on my left cheek. I closed my eyes as she traced the soft tipped stick across my face, trying to picture what she drew. It was a crescent moon and an arrow.
"What does it mean?" I asked her when she stepped down. Her expression was different from when I first met her…it was more sober.
"Death." She said somberly and disappeared into the trees again. I was careful not to smudge the paint as I replaced my helmet. Arthur and I rode out to the top of a hill overlooking the soon to be battlefield. The Saxons would see us most certainly.
"Isolde." Arthur said as we sat atop our mounts. I caught sight of the long train of Romans, villagers and knights leaving the fort. I tore my eyes away and looked at my leader. "You must fight for your own destiny. If you wish to leave, I will not hinder you."
I loved Arthur, really I did, but the man was nearly impossible at times. It was a little late to tell me I could leave. Not that I would have anyways…I decided to ignore him and act like I hadn't heard.
I had been wrong about that morning being my last moment of peace… Here I was, about to fight a nearly hopeless battle, and I had never been calmer. I thought back to Tristan's words to the knights. We all die. I had never feared death. Why start now?
The fires had been lit and the field was covered in a black smoke. I watched as Bors rode away from the caravan and drew his sword. I closed my eyes as I heard the familiar battle cry. There was a pause, and then Arthur returned it. Roman, woad….Whatever other blood ran through his veins, the Sarmatian in him would always call to him. Horse man. Plains. Freedom.
I remained silent. I was saving every bit of energy and thought for what was to come. My heart beat was almost like a drumbeat, rushing me on to war. Bors rode back to the train of people and got back in line. I was disappointed in the men. I could not deny it. I looked to the forest edge where a blood chilling line of ghostlike men and women had appeared. I looked sharply out past the wall where a man was waving a white flag. Arthur motioned towards the gates and quickly, a few men rushed out to open it. Without hesitation, Arthur urged his horse forward. I followed several feet behind. We rode out to where a flaxen haired man stood waiting. This was their king? I stopped Kolaksay next to Arthur. I looked out to the seemingly endless line of Saxons…I was getting excited. I kept a strong grip on my bow incase the white flag was a trick.
"Arthur." The Saxon man said as he watched us. He had long flaxen hair and a beard, both of which had odd sections pieced off with bits of leather. He should have seemed barbaric, but oddly enough, he appeared civilized.
"Where ever I go on this wretched island, I hear your name…Always half whispered, as if you were a…" He paused for a moment "God."
Of course the Saxon would be perturbed by the way common people spoke of Arthur. I fought the urge to stick my nose in the air. This…King had probably never heard any Saxon farmer or blacksmith ever praise his name. The dog…
"All I see is flesh and blood." The Saxon said with his cold eyes. He softly pushed his fist against the horse's snout. "No more god that the creature you're sitting upon."
"Speak your terms Saxon." Arthur said, getting impatient. I looked back out towards the Saxons… Yes. Today was a good day. I was getting tired with the Saxon king's talk though… We had ridden out to set rules, not be insulted. The Saxon, apparently, was not tired of talking.
"The Romans have left you. What are you fighting for?" The man said with a degree of interest.
"I fight for a cause beyond yours or Rome's understanding." Arthur said in a low voice as his horse circled Cedric sporadically. I was impressed to see the man did not seem to be made nervous by edgy horse. He made a mock understanding sound. As if he had made some judgment of Arthur…
"And who will be fighting us Arthur? You and…" At this point the man directed his cold gaze to me. A disbelieving smile rose up. "You and a girl? You equip a camp follower with a sword and threaten me with her?"
I stared deeply into the Saxon's eyes for a moment. I saw arrogance and cunning. Reckless, purposeless ambition. Such a man was not made to live. Without a word I turned back to observing the enemy.
The Saxon seemed surprised by our attitudes…
"If you've come to beg a truce," The man said seriously, "You should be on your knees."
Arthur's sword point was at his face in a moment.
"I came to see your face, so that I alone may find you on the battlefield." Arthur said dangerously. He continued. "And it would be good for you to mark my face Saxon. For the next time you see it, it will be the last thing you see on this earth."
I loved it when Arthur lost his temper. It inspired me.
"Ah." Was all the king said. He seemed to be mulling over the Roman's words. Arthur whipped his horse around and began riding back to the wall. I held back for a moment and turned my face to the Saxon. I paused for a moment, searching for the words.
"Before this day is over, I'm going to kill many of your men." I said assuredly as I gave a slight nod. He waited for more, but I had already ridden off. As we rode up the hill again, I heard the sounds of an army being prepared for battle. Drums, war cries…
We sat there, Arthur and me, waiting for the battle to come to us. Arthur's standard blew in the wind and suddenly I heard hooves beating the ground behind us. I smiled as Lancelot rode up next to Arthur, completely decked out in Sarmatian armor. It did not surprise me too much… He was soon followed by the rest of the men. Bors and Tristan rode up on either side of me. I looked at my scout for any sign that he had awakened when I had gone into his room. I saw nothing. I strained my ears…Another horse. Galina rode up on the other side of Tristan, with all her weapons and armor in place. Arthur said nothing discouraging to the men, and Lancelot said nothing discouraging to Galina. Illness or no illness, she would fight with us. We said nothing to each other for a few moments. Arthur's horse jumped in front of us the moment we heard the Saxon army head towards the gates.
"Knights, the gift of freedom is yours by right." Arthur said looking at each of us. "But the home we seek lies not in some distant land…It's in us! And our actions on this day! If this be our destiny, then so be it! But let history remember, that as free men, we chose to make it so!"
He finished with a battle cry. Each one of us joined in as we slammed our standards into the ground. Tristan strung his bow purposefully and aimed it out towards the Saxons. He let it fly towards a tree on the other side of the wall. He was rewarded with the sound of a distant cry.
The Saxons pooled in through the gates and we rode our horses to a more accessible point. We waited as the sound of deadly arrows filled the air. I heard the hisses of the arrows turn into ominous thuds. We rode forward. Bors gave a crazed battle cry. We must have seemed like demons in the smoke… I swung the crowbill up in an arch and lifted a man off his feet as the point lodged in his jaw. I released his body and rode on. We waited for the second volley of arrows to pass… This time I used my thin, curved blade. Pata glinted in the dim light as I cleaved upwards at a man's face. I rode along the Saxon line for a moment. It was easy and I barely had to move my sword. They fell like stones as Pata sliced across backs, chests and necks. We retreated into the smoke and drew our bows. I notched two at a time each time I reloaded. When no more Saxons stood, we retreated from the smoke.
Minutes passed. The gates opened up again and the entire Saxon army poured in this time. I squinted slightly to see through the thick haze. The Saxon king motioned a familiar man to the left side of the field. This was going quite nicely. I looked closer at the man. Ahhh. The Saxon from the frozen lake. I compared their flaxen hair, and gathered that the two men must be father and son. I was getting impatient. I was ready to fight. I looked towards the hill to see Merlin's men pulling catapults over the hill. A thin line of fire appeared at the wooded edge of the field. Guinevere was about to launch the last volley of arrows.
There were numerous cries as the flaming arrows soared through the air. I shook my head disgustedly. The Saxon pigs did not even realize they were standing on tar. Now that the army was cut in half, Guinevere led her forces against the lesser side. I didn't bother looking for March, I would never be able to pick him out. Merlin signaled for the catapults, and then it was our turn to join the fray. I rode towards the Saxon line while firing as many arrows as possible. I shot off a good eight before it was time to draw the machaira. Kolaksay charged through the Saxon lines while my Greek sword cut through helmets like butter. I rode out leisurely for a while, lopping off heads. This grew tiring, and soon I dismounted. I sheathed the machaira and drew Pata. I also grabbed the shield Llyr had made me. I smiled savagely at the first man to come towards me. I ducked his brute swipe and pounded the shield into his helmeted head. He dropped the sword to cradle his head, but I twisted the shield and slammed the sharp side into his bent neck. I felt a presence behind me and quickly spun around while swinging the bladed edge towards the man. He fell with his throat torn open. I was being pushed towards the line of fire. A nasty looking man with a beard the size of my torso came running at me with a huge axe. I quickly sheathed Pata and waited right until his axe began to descend upon me. At which point I through my entire body into the shield. The sharp edge drove the man to the ground and nearly severed him in half. I looked up just in time to see two men come at me. I drew Pata. I parried the first man's blow while sidestepping the next. I used my sword to fling the first man's sword upwards and I ducked under it. I pierced his back smoothly and then sliced the second man's legs at the knees. My sword went flying through the air as a man bowled into me. I was vaguely aware of the sword landing somewhere beyond the fire as I rolled several feet away. I looked around frantically for a blade. My other sword was with the horse and my shield was pinning another man's corpse to the ground somewhere else. I ripped the dagger sheath from my thigh as the man ran towards me. I went down on one knee and twisted around while unsheathing the small blade. The result was a deep score across the man's belly and a bright shower of blood. I dodged the falling corpse and began making my way to a break in the fire. I would need to find my sword. I quickly stabbed a man directly in my path and grabbed Pata. A familiar sweep of ruddy hair passed me and I recognized Yseult. The girl was fighting a strapping young Saxon with two small blades. He was beating her down with a much larger sword. I leapt forward just as he knocked her to the ground. She looked panicked as he raised his sword but her expression soon changed as his head fell onto her. His body slumped to the ground and she looked at me from my position in front of her. I didn't offer her a hand, for I knew she would not take it. We went our separate ways and soon I found myself back on Arthur's side.
I looked around me at the bloodshed and realized that now was the point when the tide could turn in any direction. I couldn't see Galina anywhere. But I did see something else… Tristan. The scout was watching the Saxon king with interest. No. He was for Arthur to kill…Of course I knew Tristan wouldn't give a damn who else wanted to kill him. He was looking for a challenge. I began fighting my way over to him.
"Find someone else to kill." I said as I shoved my blade through a Saxon's gut. Tristan didn't bother looking at me as he walked towards the king.
"Find your woad Isolde. Leave me to my own battle." He said as if speaking to a child.
"Don't act like a-" I began but he ignored me. I was cut off by an attacker. I snarled angrily at the man and began a vicious assault. Fine. Tristan could do what he wanted. I stayed near anyways. I looked up as the Saxon leader and Tristan began attacking each other. I finished a man off with a swipe to his stomach just as Tristan and the Saxon locked swords. Tristan's face frightened me. It was the face of a man who realized that he was defeated. My swordplay became fiercer as I steered myself towards the duo. Stupid man…Stupid stupid stupid…A severe pain swept across my lower back. I shoved my sword behind me and felt the satisfying thud of a blade lodging into a man. I was struggling to get closer to Tristan. The Saxon pulled out a dagger and stabbed Tristan. Tristan stared disbelievingly at his own blood. They continued fighting until the Saxon slashed at Tristan's legs and knocked him to the ground. He cruelly knocked the edge of a dagger against Tristan's head. The scout made a noise and clutched at his head. He pitifully scrambled away. The Saxon looked with a half amused expression at the scout. Tristan rose to his knees and gripped his sword with trembling arms. He attacked again, only to be knocked aside once more. This time he had to shamefully bend down to pick up his fallen sword. He lunged once more and this time, the Saxon shoved a blade completely through the scout's forearm. Tristan keeled over and then was shoved to the dirt. I knocked the man I was fighting across the skull and charged over to where Tristan lay. I held my sword in front of me as I faced the king. I pushed every bit of emotion away from my mind. Emotions were dangerous. The Saxon raised an eyebrow at me. I quickly tested all my muscles. I had seen the man fight, and I knew I would need to be light on my feet. He swung the large sword at me and I parried the blow. I felt my very bones vibrate painfully with the force of the blow. I did not wait for his next move. Instead I dodged to the left and struck quickly at his side while turning around. He twisted to lessen the blow against his hip, but I still left a bloody gash. His back was now to Tristan. I looked over to where the scout lay and saw Yseult helping him to stand. She leaned over and grabbed his sword. She handed him the sword and guarded him while he gathered his wits. Knowing that my friend was safe, I diverted all my attention to the Saxon before me. I had shed his blood once, but I doubted I could do so again. I would not give up however. My blood was pounding furiously through my veins. I slowed my breathing down to calm my body. I needed to think quick and move quick, not fumble because my body was over working itself. The Saxon was frighteningly quick with the huge sword I discovered as we parried blows for a few moments. I saw an opening at his neck and I took it. It was a feint however and in an instant I found myself staring at the sky with a searing pain across my abdomen. I rolled over to avoid the sword point that crashed down to where my heart had been moments before. I used the momentum to pitch myself upwards. I gave a cry and struck at the Saxon king's blade again and again. I knew I could only wear him down so much, but that didn't keep me from throwing every bit of my strength into it. Inch by inch, he was falling back. But he was strong and larger, and when he threw all his weight into a shove, I could do nothing but fly backwards. Arthur was suddenly in front of me, taking over where I had left off. I got out of his way and put a hand to my stomach. I thanked every god I could think of that it was not deep enough to have spilled my stomach contents. I had been very close to a painful death. I looked around for Galina. She was ill…How long could she last? Arthur could handle himself and I liked to think that Tristan and I had worn down the Saxon man a fair amount. I saw her running towards another side of the field.
"Galina!" I yelled as I followed her. She dodged through an opening in the flames and before I could follow, a man stepped in my pathway. I knocked his sword out of his hands and chopped into his shoulder. He fell down with a wheezing cry. I ran through the opening and looked for dark gold hair. I rubbed at my face. The soot was like hell to my eyes…I saw the Saxon king's son rise up with a crossbow aimed at Lancelot.
"Lancelot!" I cried as soon as I saw it. The knight turned around to find himself faced with the crossbow. Just as the Saxon released it, there was an animal like scream and Galina launched herself upon him. I looked frantically at Lancelot. The bolt had slammed into his shoulder, but it didn't look fatal. Galina slammed her axe into the Saxon's arm and clawed at his face. He swatted her aside easily and I began running towards the two. There were several Saxon's between us however and I could only watch in horror as the Saxon impaled Galina with his sword. I struggled to breath.
"No!" I roared at the same time Lancelot did. Guinevere looked on with a disbelieving expression at what had happened. Lancelot reached the Saxon before I did. The man stood no chance. His sword arm was severed in half by the time I reached them. I shoved Lancelot aside as I raised my sword. I paused however. No. I grabbed his thin beard and began pulling him roughly towards the fire. He howled with pain but he had no choice but to hobble along. I shoved him into the nearest fire and soon he was screaming. He bolted out of the flames, but I was ready. I toyed with the man. He had only one arm and he was covered in burns, but I cared not. He was barely recognizable in a few moments. Lancelot hurtled over in a black fury and swiped the man's head cleanly off his shoulders. I couldn't muster enough concentration to be angry at Lancelot for killing him before I was done. Instead I ran towards Galina. I stopped before I reached her. The sounds of battle faded and the smoke no longer seemed to be so thick. It was a rainy day and I was in the middle of a small village. Branwain. I kept seeing glassy eyes and bloody, matted hair. I remembered her brutally sorrowful whimper when she saw Lionel's body. I sank to my knees and reality rushed back to me. I wasn't staring at my cousin. I was staring at another loved one. The battle was fading around us…Arthur must have killed the king. I barely registered it though… Galina held my hand and smiled. She was staring at something in the sky I couldn't see. It was that place in her mind that she had truly lived in since we left home.
"Geraint." I choked out. She couldn't leave her son. She couldn't leave Lancelot. She couldn't leave me.
"I was dieing anyways." She said in a faint voice. "And my baby still has his father. And you."
"I need you." I said as Lancelot kneeled next to us. He cradled her head in his lap and stared helplessly at her. She was bleed profusely. She would not last much longer…
"No Isolde, you have Tristan." She said and turned her eyes towards Lancelot. "Raise him. Promise me."
"I promise." Lancelot half whispered. He stroked her cheek with a bloody thumb.
"I love you." She said as she closed her eyes. I couldn't tell which one of us she was talking to. Perhaps me. Perhaps him. Perhaps both… Her breathing stopped…
I sat back and looked out around me. Galina had not died in the same horror that Branwain had. I was almost ashamed…I had always thought of Galina as somewhat weak…Delicate. She had proven herself to be stronger than I could have imagined. I could accept her death. My calmness surprised me…I couldn't bring myself to leave her however. Neither could Lancelot it seemed…We sat like that for what seemed like years. Guinevere sat nearby and eventually went to find Arthur. The other's found us like that. I was pleased to find that no one else dear to be had been killed. Dagonet squeezed my shoulder. Arthur was anguished with guilt. Stupid Roman… Yseult walked over and stood near Tristan's side. March walked over and knelt next to me. I didn't want to hold his hand, but I didn't have the heart to shake him off. We would have a lot to do over the next few hours…At that moment I just wanted to… I didn't even know what I wanted. I stood up and began walking across the battlefield. Guinevere held March back from coming after me. No one else followed me, and for that I was thankful.
Blahabla…So much effort. My brain hurts. REVIEW DAMMIT
