"When did you and Marcus return?" Rowan asked as she took a seat beside him.
"Sometime this morning."
"Did you find anything?"
"Nothing. Marcus is a good scout. Most men would have turned around to get some sleep but he stayed awake. Why are you up so early?"
"I see no point in sleeping when there are things to be done."
"Never before have I met a girl like you."
"Should I take that as a compliment?"
"Yes. You are stronger and smarter than the women I have seen. And the first not to fall under Lancelot's spell." Rowan laughed.
"What are you two talking about?" Both Tristan and Rowan turned to see Gawain waking.
"Nothing. I will wake the others. It is time for us to move on. Hopefully, we can get to the caravan before nightfall." Tristan went around waking the others while Rowan packed her things onto Axis. After the other knights ate and packed their things, and then they were gone again.
"We must ride faster than yesterday. I do not want to spend another night away from the fort when we don't have to." Arthur commanded. The group picked up speed to make up for the time they wasted the day before.
As Rowan rode through the country she saw the beautiful landscape. Few trees were scattered about and an endless field lay before them. This was better than the cramped forest they were previously in. Rowan hated crowed areas. She loved the open space; it gave her room to breath.
Since they were traveling faster, this gave them less chance to speak to one another. Around lunch time, Arthur decided to give the horses a rest. So they stopped to eat a light lunch. Like the night before, Marcus and Tristan took their meals and went ahead of the group to make sure the way was clear. Rowan took her food and sat alone with Axis. It was not that she didn't like the others; she just wasn't ready to confide in them the pain she really felt over her brother. As Rowan sat in thought Galahad approached her.
"Do you mind if I eat with you?" This question brought Rowan back to the present.
"Sure. I am almost done." Rowan went to leave.
"But I was hoping to eat with you."
"Oh." Rowan smiled. "Okay." At first there was a strange silence between the two. Finally, Galahad broke the awkward silence.
"So how do you like it traveling with a bunch of men, I mean?"
"Not a problem really. I've done it since I've been a child."
"Have you ever had friends that were girls?"
"Not really. Growing up, the girls I knew wanted to play with dolls or plan their weddings. I was more for fighting. And once I joined the knights, I didn't have time to stop and meet other girls."
"So you're use to men more than women."
"Yea. I get along with them just fine as long as they're not trying to control me."
"After the skills you showed us I don't see how any man could control you."
"They make attempts. Lancelot is nothing compared to some of the things men have tried. But it doesn't bother me. Once they realize they have no chance, they eventually give up."
"I would never do that to a woman. I don't view them as possessions."
"That's very noble of you." Galahad blushed. He was about to ask her about her homeland but Gawain interrupted them.
"Arthur says we are to be going soon. Are you two ready?"
"Yes." Rowan and Galahad responded. They put away the few dishes they used and then the group was off. It was not far up the road that Arthur and the others caught up to Tristan and Marcus. Nothing was found.
The small company of knights rode the rest of the day. Around dusk, the caravan came into view. They were making camp for the night amongst the trees. The knights came to a halt several feet from the new arrivals.
"Good to see you Sir Arthur. I hope your journey was pleasant." A skinny, balding said.
"Yes very nice. No problems. And your journey?"
"All well. Thought we lost a horse but he turned up the next day. Murray, Kelvin, come take their horses and tie them to the trees, securely this time."
"Yes, father." The two young boys replied. One boy with sandy brown hair led his little brother to the knights horses. When the older one came to take Axis, Rowan said she would help. The knights became acquainted with the people driving the caravan. The father, Fergus, and his brother, Duncan drove the cart while their sons, Murray, Kelvin, and Brice tended to the animals. The young boys were fond of Arthur. Their fathers told them stories of the many adventures of Arthur and his knights.
"So Arthur, when did you start recruiting women to do a man's job?" Fergus asked as the group ate dinner.
"Fergus you will find that Rowan is not just another girl. She has been in this life just as long as us."
"She is still a woman. What can a woman do?"
Rowan could tell this was the typical man which tried to control her. Since the knights and children were about she was going to ignore the comments. She would only have to endure the many for a couple of days and then she would never have to see him again.
"If you don't hold your tongue she may just cut it out." Lancelot said.
Fergus cast a side glance at Rowan as if sizing her up. "I doubt that."
"I am going to bed gentleman. I do not wish to fight tonight since there are children around." Rowan said throwing her plate to the ground and walking to the tent the boys had set up for her.
"Aww did I offend the little lady?" Rowan could hear Fergus's taunts all the way to the tent. When Fergus persisted Duncan finally tried to silence his little brother.
"Fergus knock it off. Arthur has told me of Rowan and her journey. And I must say little brother she could beat you very easily."
Fergus closed his mouth. Duncan was older and wiser. Even though Fergus did not always agree with is brother, he respected him and took Arthur's word.
"I am sorry Arthur." Fergus said bowing his head.
"It is not I who you must apologize to."
"I will speak with her in the morning." Fergus had no intentions of apologizing but he said he would do so to please his brother and Arthur. The men stayed up for another hour until finally Arthur decided they needed rest. The journey home would be longer but if they left early, the group could be back sooner than expected.
As normal Rowan was the first awake the next morning. She saddled her horse and prepared a meal for herself. The previous night had put her in a bad mood and she was not going to sub come to the expectations Fergus had of her. Tristan, Lancelot, and Arthur were the next to arise.
"Good morning Rowan. Sleep well?" Lancelot asked.
"No." And with that Rowan went and fed the rest of her uneaten breakfast to Axis.
"Apparently she did not sleep well." Arthur said.
"She was unable to fight Fergus for saying those things. So now she is in a poor mood. And taking it out on us." Lancelot commented.
"Well we didn't try to stop him." Tristan said.
The three fell silent. Tristan was right. If Fergus was down casting another member of the knights they would have stopped the slander. But because Rowan was new and a woman they allowed the comments to continue. Each supposed Rowan would have handled it herself, but they did not realize she had enough manner not to beat a man with his children about. Several minutes passed and then Arthur ordered the others to be awaken. Rowan stayed to herself for the rest of the morning. Once everything was cleaned and packed away the group began to move. Tristan and Marcus traveled ahead to keep a check on the path ahead. Arthur, Bors, and Dagonet rode ahead of the caravan. Fergus and Duncan drove the cart while the children walked beside. Lancelot, Galahad, and Gawain followed close behind the cart. Egan and Rowan stayed behind a little ways to make sure they were not being followed.
"Milady are you okay?" Egan finally asked after traveling in silence for several miles.
"I am fine, Egan."
"Do not worry about Fergus. He is just a single minded man. He does not know of any thing which does not pertain to him."
"Thank you Egan. I do not know what I would do without you." The two friends spoke quietly until Arthur suggested they stop for lunch around midday.
As Rowan ate quietly alone, Lancelot came to eat with her.
"I hope the comments Fergus made do not lead you to believe all men are pigs."
"No. I don't believe that. Though good men are rare."
"Hey you have one right in front of you."
"That is your opinion." Rowan said trying to hide her smile.
"Are you saying I am not a gentleman?"
"Maybe."
"I have treated you with respect and kindness. What would you have me do to show you I do not view women as objects."
"Lancelot I am only joking. Calm down. I know you are a good hearted man."
"Thank you, Rowan. Fergus said he will apologize for his behavior."
"I doubt that. I heard the conversation last night. I know he only said it to please Duncan."
"Just wondering but why didn't you teach Fergus a lesson?"
"His children were there. Children should not see fighting. Even if their father is a pig."
"Even after this man downcasts you, you still wont beat him because of his kids."
"I grew up watching people fighting and it does nothing good. So I was not going to make those children watch their father get beat."
"That's understandable." Lancelot as about to continue when Galahad arrived.
"Arthur says we should be heading out. Are you two ready?"
"Yes Galahad."
"Thank you." Again the group packed up, mounted their horses and rode off. After an hour, Rowan noticed the children getting tired of walking. The eldest, Brice, asked his father if they could ride in the cart.
"I am sorry son. It is packed full. There is not enough room for all of you." Duncan replied.
"I can have one ride with me." Rowan said. "And I am sure the other knights could bear another rider."
"One can ride with me." Egan said as he approached the children.
"And the third with me." Galahad said.
"Are you sure? I do not want them to be a burden." Duncan asked.
"Axis can handle two riders. And the other horses are strong. It will be no problem."
Rowan, Egan, and Galahad stopped while Duncan and Fergus passed the children up to the three riders. All the kids were excited to be riding horses, especially with knights. Everyone rode for the rest of the day without stops. It was not until late that night everyone decided to stop for sleep and food.
Okay I am going to stop here. Thanks to MORWEN12 for your comment. Sorry it has taken me so long to get this chapter out. I have been super busy with college. I hope everyone enjoys it. Please leave me reviews they are greatly appreciated.