Note: Thanks for the reviews! Sorry it took so long to update, been having writers block. This is a bit choppy but please excuse its imperfections and let me know what you think so far. Thanks for reading.

Seek, Destroy, Rescue

Tristan heard the blood curdling cries of the Woads. They were all around him. Quickly, he drew his bow and shot arrows into the woods. Arrows flew at him in response. Knowing he did not stand a chance against them, he rode out of the woods back to Arthur and the rest of the knights.

The forest moved as the Woads charged at the knights. Arthur called them to ranks and the knights stood in a line, their weapons drawn ready for a fight. Lancelot and Bors glanced at each other; they were ready and had a wager on who could kill the most Woads. The winner got the privilege of Vanora's company while the looser had to stand back and watch.

Gawain and Galahad sat sit by side, eagerly waiting the enemy's arrival. Dag pulled his broad-blade out and held it out in front of him like a lance. They were all prepared and eagerly waited for the battle's start.

Tristan burst through the trees and rode to Arthur, "I could not see them, but they are everywhere." Arthur nodded and Tristan took his place next to Dag. He drew his bow and began to release arrows, as Bors and a few of the other archer-knights did. Their storm of arrows did not dampen the Woads spirit and they cried even louder.

Lysander watched the knights lined up. At the Woads cries his men came to alert and prepared to join Arthur in battle but he held them back. He would watch and wait until the moment was right. The fewer men of his lost the better for him and his post.

Kida crawled through the thick undergrowth. She had passed the Woads front line unseen. Silently she thanked the gods for granting her passage. Once she was sure she passed the main force of the Woad army, she loosened her guard a bit and concentrated a bit more on where she was going. She stepped over logs and stones. She had no idea what she was going to do now. Stupidly, she let herself get caught up in the moment and now that she was where she wanted to be, she did not know what to do next. She had no idea where Liam was, she had no idea where she was.

She continued to walk north until she came to a drop off. Reluctantly, she turned and began to walked parallel to the cliff; with each step she took she began to wonder why she ever left the main force. She must have been insane to go after Liam in an unknown place with an almost completely invisible enemy.

Liam tugged at the rope that held him. It was tied well and would not budge. It would be his fault if any of his comrades fell. They would fight to save him and that would be their down fall. If only he could do something; the defenseless feeling he had frustrated him and he did not like it.

His guards watched him with slight interest. One of them was a young woman. It surprised when he first came to the Woad's camp that they had women among them as warriors. They must be low on warriors to have women fighting for even his people did not let their women fight. She looked at him with interest. He looked back at her. She was covered in blue paint in odd writing and she wore leather battle gear. He supposed that underneath the dirt and paint she would be a rather beautiful woman, but men did not like women that could gut them in their sleep.

His other guard practically ignored him and would yell at the woman, probably telling her to remember who he was for she would look away when the man spoke to her from him and pretend that he was not there. Maybe he could gain some sympathy from the woman. He could get her to feel sorry for him and let him go.

The Woads flooded into the clearing charging the knights. The knights let out their cry and kicked their horses. The horses leapt and charged at the blue devils. The knights rode and clashed with the blue demons. They slashed and stabbed at them taking many of men down with their strokes.

The demons jumped at the mounted knights and pulled them down to their level. Swinging their small swords and knives wildly around they hacked away at the knights.

The knights fought back. Both sides threw everything they had at each other.

Kida heard the shouts and cries of the knights and Woads but she did not turn back to help, instead she continued on her path deeper into the woods. She had to find Liam, she just had to.

Lysander watched as Arthur and his knights fought the demons. He just sat on his horse and did nothing. His men wanted to engage in battle but Lysander ordered them to stand by until they were attacked. By the way the battle was going they were not going to make it to them.

Arthur and his knights fought bravely. They were outnumbered but still held their ground. Lancelot used his two small swords like scissors and cut into the demons. Blood soaked the ground and dripped from their weapons. All the knights had taken cuts and were bleeding and a few of their numbers were dead, but that did not dampen their spirits.

They backed up against each other so to not leave their backs to the enemy.

Bors and Dag let at the Woads swinging and swiping their weapons taking off heads and other body limbs. Galahad and Gawain hacked at their demons and took chunks out of their blue painted flesh. Arthur and Lancelot cut and stabbed their devils, killing them immediately. Tristan alternated between bow and sword. When they were close enough for the use of a sword he slashed and slit his Woads with one swift movement of his arm and they fell spurting blood.

The other knights fought as best they could but soon found that the Woads had them outmatched and some began to retreat. Arthur called to his knights, telling them that they would be well but fear grasped some of his knights and they ran leaving their comrades behind to die.

Lysander watched with joy as Arthur's knights deserted him. It may have been only two or three but still it looked bad for a commander to have his knights run away in battle. His men were waiting eagerly for the command to join in on the fight. With the knights fleeing and the dead ones they figured that they would go in and help them, but Lysander still refused to let them fight. It baffled them that their commander would be so heartless as to watch men get slaughtered when he could help. He did not care what his men thought. He was going to prove a point to Arthur and that point was that his knights were his not Arthur's. He would teach them all a lesson. Kiran for where his loyalties laid, Arthur for accepting them, and Arthur's knights for taking Kiran in. Kiran was his knight and his mystery. He was the one that would find it out not Arthur or his knights.

Kida heard footsteps coming towards her. She hid the best she could in the bushes. They were Woads, but not like the ones she met before. The one in the lead was different. He had a certain air about him, like royalty, but how could savages have a monarchy system.

The leader, as the man seemed to be, spoke in his native tongue with a young woman. Kida stopped a moment and examined the woman. She had never heard of a people that had women fighting alongside men before.

They seemed to be arguing about something but she had no clue about what. Maybe if she followed them they would lead her to her brother, but how she would do it would be a miracle for they were forest people and one can never beat the demons in their territory as she learned long ago. They argued a few more minutes than the leader man turned and left. The woman watched him leave frustrated and then turned the opposite direction. She inhaled deeply and then began to follow the woman as quietly as she could. They must not be as accomplished warriors if she had never seen a woman warrior among them until now; she hoped her assumptions were right.

Merlin took the woman guard away. He led her out of the camp and spoke to her. "What do you think you are doing watching the knight?"

The woman looked at him and replied, "Nothing, I was just looking."

"Don't get any ideas into your head. These knights would as soon kill you as a ravenous wolf. Keep your distance from the knight and do not get to know him."

The woman tried to argue with him but Merlin would hear nothing. Finally she agreed and left him leave. She was angry but she knew he was right, but then again if the knight was as dangerous as he said why was he not fighting? She looked around her as if looking for an answer to her problem. She wanted to give the knight a chance at his life the honorable way but she could not set him free or else Merlin would know it was her. If only she could think of another way to let him go. If only…

Kida followed the woman to a camp. It was almost completely empty. The woman did not notice her and just kept walking. From the edge of the camp she scanned the area for Liam. She saw him near the east side tied to a tree. She glanced around her and saw no one. Her gut told her that it was dangerous but her heart wanted to save her brother. Before she knew what she was doing, Kida made a run towards her brother. He looked at her amazed and whispered, "What are you doing here Kiran? Is Arthur with you?" Kida ignored his questions and cut his bonds. She grabbed his hand and pulled him after her as she ran back towards the forest.

A shadow watched as a small knight flew out of the woods and cut the prisoner free. The small knight was different from the others, the shadow saw that. It watched as the small knight pulled the other knight into the woods and they disappeared. The shadow nodded in satisfaction. All was done.

Arthur thought the blue sea of bodies would never come to an end. They kept coming and coming like an endless swarm of bees. His knight were growing weary as was he but he did not know what to do. If they ceased to fight they were dead, if they fought any longer they would die.

Kida pulled Liam through the path that she came. He did not ask any questions and followed her willingly. She hoped that the others were well. They came to the raven and followed it. As they came to the forest's end the sound of the battle grew louder. She scanned around them looking for more Woads. There was a group of them waiting to reinforce their comrades. She stopped and drew her sword. Liam looked at her and nodded. He picked up a stick and they let out a cry. The Woads whirled around. Kida and Liam charged the Woads.

Kida's blade met the belly of the first man she met and clashed blades with another. Liam wrestled one to the ground and bashed his head on a stone and then took the discarded blade. They cut, sliced, and hacked at the Woads. They fell into heaps on the ground. Once they were all dead Kida looked at them. She did not know what she felt but it made her sick to her stomach to see them dead. She should not feel this way; they were her enemy and would kill her without a second thought. The law of war; kill or be killed.

A great cry erupted from the forest. For a moment the knights and Woads stood frozen. Was it their men or the Woads? Dag smiled when he recognized the call. It was Liam's call. He was alright. Somewhat motivated by the cry Arthur and his knights charged at the Woads once again.

Kida and Liam left the dead Woads and went to join Arthur and the others. They came to the battlefield to find many dead men. The Woads divided into groups and attacked each knight separately. Kida gasped as a young knight fell as a Woad slit his throat. She looked through the coax for anyone she knew. She found Arthur and Lancelot fighting back-to-back. Galahad and Gawain followed their example. Dag and Bors did the best they could at covering each other's backs but they got too wrapped up in their fighting. Tristan stood alone shooting his arrows and slicing his challengers.

In the distance Kida noticed a group of knights sitting on the hill. She did not even need to look to know who it was. Lysander surprised her with his heartlessness. She knew he was harsh but she never saw him leaving knights to die. She looked at Liam and Liam at her and they charged in to the mess.

Kida swiped and slashed at the devils as they began to surround her. She tried her best to stay with Liam but they forced them apart. They forced her off to the side by herself and circled around her like wolves on the hunt. She drew her knife and used it along with her sword trying to deflect their attacks.

Liam found himself being forced away from Kiran. He knew they would not stand a chance alone and tried his best to get back to Kiran's side but the devils would not let him. He looked around for the closest knight. Tristan stood about three yards from him. He fought his way to Tristan and took his position behind him to guard his back. He scanned the crowd for Kiran but he could not see him. He was probably dead. Liam shook his head. The lad had risked his life to save him and now he was lost to them. Liam gripped his sword and let out another cry, not the knights call but the call of his people. He would live through this battle, he was determined to live. All the other young knights were dead and he lived. He would avenge their deaths. He fought like a devil and cried again. He fought for the knights that had fallen, he fought for Kiran, and he fought for Kida.

Kida looked for Liam but he was lost in the sea of men. She had no choice than to do her best to defend herself but it was hard. The Woads started to close their circle around her. They came closer and closer. Kida turned around and looked at them. There was too many of them for her to take on alone.

Lysander stared at Kiran. It surprised him that he made it back out of the forest alive and with the missing knight. He noted that Kiran was trapped but for some reason he did not move. He could help them but he did not. His knights were restless and kept looking at him for orders to attack, but the orders never came. Instead of ordering them into the battle, Lysander turned his men around and they rode back to the fort leaving Arthur and his knights alone to die.

Arthur noticed Lysander turn and leave. What was he think he was doing? Arthur did not have to time to ponder the thought and concentrated on the task before him, getting his men out of this battle alive. Lancelot fought fiercely beside him and they took down many Woads. Arthur tried to find where his knights were. A group of five was not far from them forming a protective circle around one of their fallen comrades. Gawain and Galahad were on the other side of the field fighting back-to-back. Bors and Dag were fighting their way towards Tristan in the middle, and next to Tristan, to his relief, stood Liam. So Kiran found him. A few other small groups of his knights were scattered throughout the field. It didn't seem that many of his men fell. He looked again for Kiran but he did not see him. Where was Kiran? As if reading his mind the Woads that surrounded Kiran moved long enough for him to catch a glimpse of Kiran.

Kiran was surrounded by Woads and he had no one with him. Arthur nodded towards Kiran and Lancelot looked. Lancelot looked at Arthur and nodded his head; he knew what Arthur was asking. Arthur and Lancelot began to push their way towards Kiran. He was near the edge of the forest.

Kida tried her best to hold them off but their numbers were too great and soon she found herself being herded into the forest, exhausted and bleeding. A mixture of sweat and blood covered her skin and she had difficulty seeing. The demons knew she was tiring and were waiting for the right moment to strike.

Liam glanced over the field again for any sign of Kiran. He found him being pushed into the woods. He had to do something, after all Kiran had risked his life to save him. He took a deep breath and pushed into the enemy line.

Arthur and Lancelot tried with all their might to push forward but the Woads were to strong and they were stuck. They had made it to Bors and Dag and even with their help the devils could not be moved.

Kida gasped as she blocked and parried the Woads attacks. It seemed as if they were playing with her. She did not know how much longer she would last. Suddenly, as if they were waiting a signal and received it, the Woads stopped their playing and went at her in full force. From everywhere blades jabbed at her. Sloppily she blocked them but they still tried again and again.

Liam looked at Kiran. The Woads were attacking in full force and they were being pushed back. He had to do something. Kiran was doing a fair job of protecting himself but he could not last. He looked at Tristan and Tristan shook his head, there was nothing they could do. Liam shook his head, there must be something he could do, there had to be.

A sharp pain burned in her left arm. Slimy liquid slid down her arm. She dropped her knife and placed her sword in her right hand. She twisted and turned to evade their blades. Heat exploded through her leg as a blade bit her. She fell to her knees. She was growing weak. The Woads loomed over her as she made a final attempt to defend herself.

A blade flashed and came towards her. She gasped.

Liam watched in horror as Kiran fell. He shook his head and hollered. The other knights looked at him. What was wrong with him? He gripped his sword and charged once again at the Woads. With his remaining strength, he pushed and shoved at the Woads. They parted. The other knights followed suit and pushed the demons back.

Watching from the shadows, Merlin knew he could not win. He nodded to the man next to him and a horn was blown. He turned around and disappeared into the darkness.

The knights stopped as the devils scattered and disappeared. What had happened? One minute they were fighting fiercely; the next they were gone. They were truly demons. Arthur wondered why Merlin would call his men back but he pushed it to the back of his mind as he and his surviving knights began to search the battlefield for their fallen brothers.

Liam rushed to where he saw Kiran fall. He found Kiran lying face down. Blood pooled around him. Liam turned Kiran onto his back to see if he was alive. Kiran had a knife wound on his left arm, a gash in his leg and a cut in his right shoulder. He looked as if he was dead. Liam pulled back Kiran's shirt to see how bad his shoulder was. Liam's jaw dropped. The lad had a few things extra.

As the other knights approached, Liam pulled Kiran's shirt back on. He was still alive, barely. Dag looked at him oddly when he noticed his friend's odd expression. "What's wrong?" he asked. "Is the lad all right?"

"He's alive, but he's not lad," Liam replied. The knights looked at each other and then at Kiran. Not a boy? What was Liam talking about? They stared at the pale Kiran in confusion. What was going on?