"What happened," Bors asked as he stared at Aiden.
"Slone has slain him. And then fled into the woods." While examining Rowan, Dagonet noticed several scars upon her back. She also had a deep gash in her side from what Dag assumed a small knife. After dressing Rowan's extreme wounds, they placed her on a horse along with Lancelot. Marcus and Egan were well enough to make the journey to Hadrian's Wall on their own horses. And Aiden's body was placed on a separate horse.
The knights arrived at Hadrian's Wall in less than two days. For Rowan's health, Arthur commanded they ride through most of the night. The sun was setting as the guards opened the large gates leading into Hadrian's Wall. The knights hurried in. Lancelot handed Rowan down to Dagonet. From there Rowan, Marcus, and Egan were taken to the infirmary. Marcus and Egan only suffered bruising and minor cuts. Rowan on the other hand had not woken up. And blood was constantly coming from her knife wound. Female nurses undressed her and then changed her bandages. Her other injuries were addressed but none were as detrimental as the knife wound. Dag changed her dressings frequently and kept a watchful eye on her for any changes. There was nothing more anyone could do. The knights would come and check on her as well as Marcus and Egan. Arthur questioned Marcus and Egan as soon as they were well enough. They told Arthur of their orders to escort Rowan to the Wall. The first leg of their journey was uneventful. "Yet as we drew nearer to the Wall, Aiden said he had the feeling of someone watching them. That night we were ambushed. Most of the men were killed in their sleep. Slone only kept several alive. After we were taken prisoner we were questioned about Hadrian's Wall. Rowan was the first they questioned. She gave up no information. Even after they beat her and cut her. Next they took in Marcus, doing the same to him. I was next, sir. All of us were strong. Not letting a single word pass our lips. Aiden was last that evening. They treated him worst because they thought he was our leader. The only time one of us was not being tortured was when they slept or ate." Egan stopped there to take a sip of water. Marcus picked up the story from there.
"All of us kept strong. The last day they only tortured Rowan and Aiden. The beatings became worse and worse. They threatened us but none of us were about to give in. Rowan was the strongest. Slone stabbed her one night. He tried to rape her but she escaped his grasp only to get caught by guards outside Slone's tent. Slone was furious so he stabbed her and then sent her back to the prisoner's tent. But she never broke. The next night is when you and your men saved us."
Arthur was amazed. The hardships she had endured and she still made it through. "Thank you for all that you have done. Now please get some rest." Egan and Marcus stayed by Rowan's side diligently. For three more days Rowan lay unconscious.
Dagonet had just left the room after he redressed Rowan's knife wound. And he found that to be healing very nicely. It was her last remaining wound. Most of the bruises on her face had disappeared. And the cuts were almost gone. The knights noticed Rowan was very attractive. Marcus had gone to get lunch. Egan was sitting by Rowan's side when her eyes began to open. "Rowan you're awake."
"Egan what happened? Where are we?" Egan began to answer her questions.
"We are at Hadrian's Wall, milady. Arthur and his knights rescued us from Slone. But he escaped."
"And my brother? Where is he?" Egan grew quiet. Rowan understood. She would never see her brother again.
Rowan and Aiden grew up in the same orphanage. Their parents left them there when Aiden was seven and Rowan was five. As they grew up, the Roman army recruited Aiden at the age of thirteen. Rowan was not going to be left behind so she joined as well. The Romans didn't care either she would die in battle or she would run away. For the past eighteen years Rowan and Aiden fought side by side. And now that he was gone she had nothing.
The two sat in silence until Dagonet and Marcus returned. "Milady you are awake. This is wonderful?" Marcus went to her side. Dagonet went over and handed Rowan his drink of water. She was a little apprehensive.
"I am Dagonet. I have been taking care of you. How do you feel, milady?"
"A little sore. But I am alive."
"Marcus please go find Arthur. Tell him Rowan is awake." Marcus took off running. Arthur was only a little ways down the hall. "Arthur. Arthur. Come quick Lady Rowan is awake." Arthur and Marcus hurried down the hall.
Rowan was sitting up and Dagonet was using pillows to keep her propped up. Arthur went to Rowan's side introduced himself. "My name is Arthur Castor. And welcome to Hadrian's Wall. You are well protected inside these walls. My knights and I am watching over you now."
"Thank you sir."
"Milady I am sorry for your loss. But your brother's death will not be in vain."
"Thank you Arthur. I am grateful for all that you and your men have done." Dagonet made a final check of Rowan. "Milady it would be best for you if you rest for now. By this evening you should be well enough to walk around."
"It would be a pleasure if you would join my knights and I for dinner," Arthur said.
"I would love to." Arthur and Dag left Rowan's room. Egan and Marcus spoke with her for a several more minutes and then they departed. Rowan was unable to find comfort in sleeping. Terrible nightmares plagued her for the few hours she slept.
All of the knights were anticipating dinner that evening. "What do you think she is like?" Galahad asked as he shot his last arrow at the target.
"Probably some girl that wanted to play warrior and got more than she bargained for," Tristan replied.
"I highly doubt that." Galahad said.
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"Milady are you ready to go to dinner?" Egan asked through her door.
"I'll be out in a minute." Rowan put on the dress Dagonet had left for her. The dress was a pale blue and the sleeves rolled off her shoulders just a tiny bit. Rowan tied her hair into a ponytail and then left her room. Egan escorted her into the dinning hall. Her first reaction was amazement. Never before had she seen a round table. All the men that she ever met were worried about ranks and their rightful places. For someone to change the normal methods was astounding to her.
"Please come sit done, milady." Rowan walked to the seat set for her beside Arthur and a dark haired knight she did not know. The unknown knight pulled out her chair for her. This was unusual to Rowan. Most men treated her like one of the men or they acted as if they were superior. No one ever showed her these manners before. "Thank you." Egan and Marcus were seated beside Arthur and Dagonet. Arthur stood and made the introductions.
"Knights as you already know this is Rowan, Marcus, and Egan. But milady you have yet to be introduced to all my knights. To your left is Lancelot. You already know Dagonet. Beside him is Bors, Gawain, Galahad, and Tristan." As each knight was introduced they smiled or nodded. After the introductions were made the food was brought in.
As the food was served, Rowan decided to speak. "I would like to tank all of you for saving me and my friends. Forever will I be indebted to all of you."
Lancelot turned to her and said, "It was our pleasure milady. We are just sorry we were unable to save your brother." Rowan became silent. The mention of her brother made her feel terrible. After a few moments of awkward silence the conversation was changed. The group tried to speak of happier matters but the conversation seemed to turn itself back to the mission.
Bors began to ask about the new knight. "When was our new recruiter killed?"
"What are you talking about?" Rowan questioned.
"Well Marcus and Egan said they were only transporting the new knight. We were just wondering what happened to him."