A special thanks to andysprettylady, KnightMaiden, and lozcollie for reviewing! Now, on with the story:)

Chapter Four

Riding down the dark trail, Arian kept a slow, relaxed pace. In truth, she wished she could thunder ahead—to see what had become of the others. It would also be fun to note the looks on the knights faces as they tried to keep up. But Misty was tired.

Arian had already looked over their horses. She saw a couple Andalusians, and the curly-haired knight with the twin swords was riding a mooreland pony cross. Overall, Arian was not very impressed.

She already had come up with handles for several of them. The one who seemed to be master of the hawk that flew high above them she called the "Gray Knight". And the burly one she though of as "Boar" or "Bull" because of his size. The one with blondish/brownish hair was "One with long hair". It was killing her that she couldn't think of a nickname for the cocky one, but she could deal with that later.

But she was fascinated by their leader. The one she'd almost killed, she noted. He was calm and civil…but she sensed if things went beyond his control, that cool façade just might slip. She bit back a smile as she thought of all the nasty tricks she could play on him if they spent any length of time with her family.

Her blasé suddenly faded as she thought of the road to Briton. Wayfarers had teamed up in almost a caravan of sorts for protection and Arian had enjoyed getting to know some of their companions, in particular a young woman named Aithne. Aithnehad been married nearly a year and was pregnant with the couple's first child. Arian never did understand love and marriage and especially children, but she'd enjoyed Aithne's optimism and cockiness. She particularly respected the woman after she learned had been forced into an early marriage with a roman soldier. She'd been traveling to somewhere along Hadrian's Wall to join him.

Arian stuck out her tongue as she thought again of the arranged marriage. Such things were sick. Children were annoying brats—THAT she knew from experience—and love was nauseating.

"What ails you, m'lady?" The one with long hair asked as he rode up beside her.

Arian realized that Arthur had drawn ahead and that she was now riding abreast with two of the Sarmatians. She wrinkled her nose and gave her questioner a wry face.

"Nothing."

"Bull" nudged the knight. "She's probably grossed out by your smell, Gawain."

"Oh really? You're the one with a dozen dirty urchins climbing over you all the time."

Arian couldn't help but smile.

Bull grunted. "It's better than what you got. The rest of you will be lucky to find a woman who'll even bed ya by the time you earn your freedom."

Arian winced.

"Oh shut up," she growled, kicking Misty to catch up with Arthur.

"Bull" looked after her. "Oh? I wasn't talking to you."

"Maybe she thought you were," the dark one joked.

"Yeah, right." Gawain snorted. There was silence a moment, before he spoke up again. "I've already earned MY freedom."

"Where is Arian?" Ffanci huffed, tossing a loose strand of hair back over her shoulder. "She's been gone well over fifteen minutes."

"Perhaps she got eaten," Kynan giggled.

Ffanci shot him a look and Llyr, who had finally managed to mount Gryn's horse, spoke up.

"I'll ride ahead and look for her."

Father hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Just don't go too far."

Llyr nodded and kicked the horse, who jumped forward, nearly unseating him.

The Sarmatians were still laughing and joking amongst themselves. Arthur and Arian rode side by side at the front. Arthur glanced over at Arian, clearly amused by her stiff silence, but did not push for conversation.

There was a scurry of hoofbeats and Llyr suddenly appeared around the bend. His horse spooked at the group of riders bearing down on them and Llyr was vaulted from the saddle as the gelding spun on his hindquarters and bolted for "home".

Llyr hit the ground hard, sending up a little cloud of dust at Misty's feet. The horse skidded to a halt, then lowered her head and snorted. Arian laughed.

"Finding out your weaknesses, Llyr? I thought I told you this was a bad time."

Llyr coughed and wiped the dirt from the corners of his mouth.

"Very funny," he managed. Then he looked around at the knights. "Who are these men?"

"Don't bust their bubbles," Arian said. "They think they rescued me."

Arian led the knights up to the wagons, trying to ignore the suspicious looks she earned from her family members.

Only Kynan, however, spoke his mind.

"I thought you said the horses were in danger."

"They are." Arian was surprised to hear Arthur answer. "Your sister was attacked by a large number of woads."

"How did you get away?" Ffanci hissed as Arian rode up alongside her.

Arian shrugged nonchalantly. "Brains," she said simply.

"Like you've got any!" Ffanci snorted and kicked her gelding.

Arian stared after her.

"We will provide you with a safe escort to Hadrian's wall," Arthur was telling her father.

"Thank you," Father responded. "Llyr?

"Yes?"

"Ride ahead and make sure the way is clear."

"No," Arthur broke in. "My scout can do that. Tristan?"

The gray knight tossed his hawk into the sky and rode toward Arthur.

"Ride ahead. Report if there are any woads awaiting us."

Tristan turned his dappled grey and cantered off down the dark trail.