AN: Sorry about the delay on updating. I had finals to do but they are over now. I tried to submit again last night but the internet was down where I lived. Thankfully its back up. Again I am sorry about the delay and for those who want to see her remember that is coming soon. Enjoy.
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'Drop your sword will you.' Cynric said, his voice hissed with anger. His clenched fist slamming into her gut and knocking her to the ground. She coughed dryly as she struggled to breathe. "Never drop your weapon!' he shouted down at her. As she struggled to stand she was forced to the ground once more with a kick to her side.
'I'm sorry. It will not happen again.' she announced gasping for the air he had knocked from her.
'No, it will not." Cynric spoke retrieving a red hot blade from the fire. 'Hold her.' Quickly strong arms held her down and held her arm outstretched.
'Please dont.' she whispered to unhearing ears. Slowly he made his way towards her. The hizzing of the blade as it came through the aircaused her eyes to widen.
'Never...Drop..your...weapon." He said sternly and without hestitation he lay the blade on her bare skin. The flesh burned to the touch and tears stung her eyes. Clenching her teeth to keep from screaming her jaw trembled. Pressing harder against her flesh she soon gave into the pain and screamed.
She woke with a start. Her hair lighty drenched from her sweating. Quickly she glanced around her waiting for another strike. As her dream began to fade and she realised where she was. Reaching to her upper left arm she could still feel the pain the hot blade had inflicted years ago. The sky was still dark and the glow of the fire that was outside was all but gone. Realising her captures could all be asleep she rose from her makeshift bed and approached the flap of the tent. As she listened she heard footsteps in the distance. Waiting for them to pass their sound became louder. As quickly as she could Kendra dove back into the bed and closed her eyes. Squinting slightly in the dark she saw the figure enter and walk towards her. Her heart began to race and she feared the figure could hear it beat. Slowly the figure approached and knealt down beside her. In the dimness of the tent, from the moon outside, she saw him reach for her. Unarmed she looked for an object to defend herself with when she saw it. A slight reflection of light off of the handle of a dagger that lay clasped to his belt. Quickly she reached out and retrieved it, slicing at the mans arm. The quickness of her move caused the pain in her arm to reignite giving the dark figure the opportunity to catch her wrists and subdue her efforts.
As her eyes adjusted, the light from the outside came forth showing the mans features. It was the Roman. Wrists still bound by the his strong grip he looked at her in suprise.
"Couldnt sleep?" He asked. His voice low he waited for her answer but all she did was stare at him defiently. "How is your arm?" he asked still holding her firmly.
"Hows yours." she responded harshly. Still holding the small dagger in hand.
Looking down Arthur saw a small amount of blood begin to seep through his shirt. "Fair enough." He answered. A small smile donned his face at the irony of the situation. "I am not going to hurt you. I only came to check on you. Now, if you drop the weapon I will set you free."
Holding his gaze she realised she had no means of escape and reluctently she let the small blade fall to the ground between them.
"Thats better." He said releasing her from his embrace. Picking up the dagger he set to place it back when he saw her shuffle back. "I mean you no harm. I only meant to check on your injury." He said placing the dagger into its sheath. "So how is your arm?"
"I dont know, How about you let me shoot you with an arrow. Then you could tell me." she said coldly.
"I think I shall pass." he answered with a chuckle. "May I ask how it came to be that you are fighting with Saxons. From my understanding, women are not allowed to fight." he added more seriously.
"They dont. I am the only one." She answered.
"Interesting." he answered. His eyes looked her up and down. "You know, for 15 years I have fought Saxons but I have never fought a Saxon with armoring such as yours." He said motioning to the insignia that lined several pices of her armor. "That is Sarmatian if I not mistaken." Looking down she saw the crest that lay engraved unto her wrist bands. "Sarmatians usually ingrave their armor in the belief that it will protect them from danger. May I know as how it is you came to don such armor?"
"Perhaps I killed a Sarmatian and took it as a souvenier." she answered her voice unwaivering against his inclinations.
"I hope it was not anyone that I know." he responded. "I also took notice of your sword, its blade is crude, but you carried it rather well in battle. Better then some Saxons."
"It does its job." she answered her stare boaring into him.
"And what might that be?" he asked.
"Killing Romans." she answered easily. Her eyebrow arched as she spoke, mocking the man before her.
"Then I should hope I am not on the recieving end." He spoke calmy. "I am Arthur."
"Kendra." She said aloud.
"Kendra, if I may ask, how long you have been fighting for the Saxons?" Arthur asked.
"What is it to you Roman."Kendra answered. "Do what you will to me, I am not afraid of you or your men. You will learn nothing from me."
"I am not wanting of knowledge of the Saxons only of the woman that sits before me." he spoke looking into her eyes sincerely. Defiance still evident in her glare. "I do not expect you to trust me or my men but, if you believe one thing I say, believe this, no harm will come to you in our presence."
"Trust a man who sneaks in on a sleeping woman in the night. You will excuse me if I find that difficult to do." she said coldly.
Arthur looked at her, trying to picture the knight he knew years ago. Dagonet was right, what ever the Saxons had done they had done well. "You should rest, the men and I leave at daylight. If you are better in the morning you may go on your way or join us if you like."
"Whats the catch Roman. I start to leave and you shoot me in my back or I go with you and am forced to give up information on the Saxons." she asked.
"No catch. Just a choice. Return to the Saxons and face your fate with them. A fate which you probably know full well will happen. Or you can ride off on your own, never knowing if what the next day will bring. Or... you can ride on with us."
"I see no difference in riding off or going with you." she said, her voice monotone.
"You can ride off alone, possibly face Saxons or woads, outnumbered, alone. But with me and my men you will be safe. In a group, protected." He answered. From the moonlight that shown through he swore he saw a touch of yearning in her eyes.
"No one can protect me from Cynric." she answered trying to hide the fear in her voice.
"How do you know unless you give someone a chance." Arthur said softly. "You should rest. Think on what I have said and in the morning you may make your choice. Goodnight Kendra." With a bow Arthur left her with her thoughts. Making his way to a sleeping Lancelot he woke him from his dreaming.