Thanks to lozcollie and KnightMaiden for reviewing again! Your reviews are what keeps me going:)

Chapter Five

"Hadrian's wall!"

"Yeah, I know. You've only said that fifteen times in the last four minutes," Arian sighed. She nudged Misty with her heels and the mare slipped into a jog, breaking away from Kynan, Gryn, and Ffanci. It brought her closer to the knights, whom Arian wasn't exactly keen on at the moment either, but at least (she hoped anyway) they were a little more mature than her siblings. If only they would refrain from making crude comments at every possible moment. Arian wondered absently if there were a way she might be able to torment them every time she said or did something she didn't like.

She glanced ahead—at the tall leader they called Arthur. She had figured out most of their names by now. The scout and gray knight was called Tristan. "Bull/Boar" was actually Bors (funny how close she'd been), the dark cocky one was Lancelot, and youngest was Galahad. The one with the really long hair was Gawain.

So it was Gawain she'd helped in their little battle, and Arthur she'd almost killed. She chuckled to herself. She actually liked Arthur better. Funny how some things worked out.

Their horses were pitiful though. Ahh—now that she considered it, that just might be a way to get on their nerves! I've got way too much time on my hands, Arian chuckled to herself inwardly as she nudged Misty closer to Galahad's gray. The Andalusian was tall, almost sixteen hands, but Misty's muscular build and arched neck made him look almost puny.

"What's your horse's name?" Arian tried.

It took Galahad a minute to realize she was talking to him.

"What?"

"I said your horse is not behaving too well," Arian commented, eyeing Galahad's horse as the latter pranced along. He was fighting the reins so hard his mouth was open and spittle dribbled from his lips. Some of it flew back and hit Galahad's leg.

Galahad looked over, somewhat enviously at Misty, who was stepping along calmly.

"Your horse is," he said, politely.

"Doesn't surprise me," Arian couldn't hide a smirk. "She's a Welsh Cob."

Galahad looked confused and Arian guessed he'd never heard of the breed. They weren't too popular outside the highlands.

"Mountain horses, from Wales," she explained. She motioned toward their herd. "All of our horses are cobs."

"I see."

She could tell he wasn't that interested.

"They can do anything."

He looked at her. "Good. Can they eliminate the woads?"

He chuckled as if it were a joke.

"How do you think I escaped?"

His smile faded slightly.

"Are you getting the money from the sales, or is your father?" Lancelot asked, glancing back over his shoulder at Arian.

Arian frowned. She already disliked this overconfident Sarmatian. "My father," she said truthfully. "I just hate to see men so deprived."

He rolled his eyes and glanced ahead at Arthur.

Gawain remarked from nearby, "You remind me of Skye."

Arian shrugged. "Who's Skye?"

"A blind girl," Arthur spoke up quietly to Arian's surprise. "The woads massacred her village. She is having her eyes examined by a renowned Roman physician as of today."

"Romans, huh?" Arian couldn't help but spit. "What good might a Roman do, pray tell?"

Arthur said nothing, but Lancelot spoke up.

"Arthur is a Roman."

"Bally, but the last Roman I met tried to dishonor me." Arian said, the disgust evidence in her voice. She saw Llyr look back at her, his eyes wide and immediately regretted saying it. Who knew how he might twist the tale in relaying it to her father!

Arthur glanced around. "I am sorry. But when was the last time you met a Roman?"

It was a fair question.

"When they were invading our country," she admitted. "A couple of our tribes rebelled against the empirical rule."

"Our tribes?" Lancelot inquired and Arian suddenly decided she'd answered enough questions for the day.

"Your scout seems to have disappeared. I'd best clear the way of leaves, turmoil and whatever else awaits you." She spurred Misty forward.

Arthur spoke up quickly. "No, m'lady. Tristan has already done so."

"Then he should have warned you if there is an impending threat." Arian smiled sweetly at the Roman. "Good day gentlemen."

"M'lady," Arthur said again, "There—"

They were interrupted by the pounding of hoofbeats, marking Tristan's return. Arian made a sour face behind Arthur's back as the latter rode to meet his scout.

"Woads, they're waiting ahead. There is no other way."

Arthur's jaw tightened and he nodded curtly. Turning to Arian, he spoke crisply.

"We'll ride ahead. Get in one of the wagons and make sure the children take cover too. Tell your father."

With that, Arthur and his knights rode to meet the woads.