Prologue:
Britain
452 AD
She was considered one of them. Her fierce independence had gained her nothing. Kelleigh sighed, brushing the dark brown locks from her small face. She was twelve years old; a child who should be playing with the other girls; instead, she was doing the washing. Her mother was dead, and her father was a drunkard who'd seen war too many times in his life. Not even that got the child down. Her father had hit her many times, leaving bruises for the world to see, but no one wanted to meddle with a famed Sarmatian knight. Her father told her that it was to make her submissive, but Kelleigh knew better.
The neighing of a horse caught Kelleigh's attention. She looked up from the pond and saw two young men in Roman dress approaching her. The horses that walked behind them were tired, anyone could see that. She judged that the boys were wandering in search of water for their horses. One boy was taller than the other, with dark hair and the other was paler, with light hair. Kelleigh gave them an inviting smile. "Can I help you, sirs?" She asked politely when they stopped at her side. The boy with dark hair stood tall and proud. Kelleigh knew he was of Sarmatian descent. His eyes were dark brown, and mysterious. As he grew older, he'd have his choice of the women, Kelleigh knew. The other boy was destined to become a great leader. It was evident in the way that he stood. She also noticed that the boy was of Woad descent.
"Our horses are thirsty," the older boy said. The other boy nodded.
"I am Lucius Artorius Castus," he introduced himself.
"I am Kelleigh," Kelleigh replied. "My father isn't home, but you can lead your horses to the pond over there," She pointed in the distance. "The water is good, fresh. Quench your thirst, for you look thirsty," The dark haired boy smiled at her.
"I am Lancelot," he said before leading his horse away. Arthur looked at her.
"You're from Sarmatia?" he asked. Kelleigh gave him a small, wane smile.
"No, not Sarmatia. But I am Sarmatian," replied Kelleigh, following Lancelot in the direction of the pond.
"Your father?"
"A knight. He's never home much. He's always away drinking. His tour of duty is done," said Kelleigh "Though, I wish it were not."
"I'm sorry," replied Arthur.
"Don't be. I'm not." Kelleigh looked at him, looking out over the horizon, and seeing a wall.
"What of your mother?" Arthur asked.
"She's dead." They reached the pond, where Lancelot allowed his horse to drink. Arthur led his horse the edge. "Don't let him drink too much at first, Artorius. It will make him sick." Lancelot looked at her.
"How do you know that?" he asked.
"Sarmatian," Kelleigh replied, "Just as you are." She smiled and changed the subject. "You're to be knights for Rome?"
"Yes," Lancelot replied darkly. "To fight for a cause not my own."
"I understand," Kelleigh put her hand on the boy's shoulder. "I too, fight for a cause not of my own."
"We'll get along perfectly then," Lancelot replied, giving her a beautiful smile. Kelleigh lost her heart that day, to a young boy who'd turn into a man, a proper killing machine. Kelleigh smiled back, looking at Lancelot and Arthur. They would be together from that moment on, the three of them. Good friends, watching out for each other, protecting each other, and teaching each other. From that moment, they became a family. The boys from the Roman garrison and the girl from the British Sarmatian settlement.
Five years later
Kelleigh sat at the pond, feet dangling into the cool water. It was a rare day when the sun shined bright enough to warm everything. A bruise covered her cheek from a recent beating from her father. He'd caught her with Arthur and Lancelot, again, for the millionth time while they were riding horses. He thought they'd been using her for their whore. Kelleigh shuddered. She remembered what she did when she was younger and her father beat her. She'd run from him, and went to the garrison, where she'd watch the Roman soldiers train. She'd also learned to fight, and through the assistance of Arthur and Lancelot, became better every time she practiced.
A horse came to her side, and Kelleigh looked at the stallion. Her father was home again. He'd sent the horse to find her so that he could follow. Getting up carefully, Kelleigh dusted herself off and looked behind her. She didn't see her father yet. He'd be along though. He always came. It never failed. Walking, Kelleigh lead the horse back to the house, wishing for the billionth time that her father were gone. She missed her mother dreadfully. Had the dear woman been alive, Kelleigh wouldn't be in the position she was in.
The hut was empty when Kelleigh walked in. Her father wasn't home yet. She thanked the gods for that small blessing. She hadn't started on supper yet, and if her father had found out, she'd get the strap for sure.
Dinner was boiled meat with the vegetables that Arthur had brought by a few days ago. At the thought of Arthur, Kelleigh smiled. He'd grown up, becoming more and more handsome. His hair was dark, and his eyes green. He was to become a great leader someday; the gossipmongers at the garrison said, and Kelleigh knew it was true. Arthur was named for the first, Artorius. He carried the sword of his father, Excalibur. He was loyal, strong and believed that everyone was born free. Kelleigh didn't remark that he was a Christian, for she knew that it would do no good.
Kelleigh's thoughts then turned to Lancelot. He had grown into a handsome man, like she'd always believed. His hair was still dark and curly, and his eyes, they'd make a woman melt at the sight of him. She knew that he and Arthur were both hell raisers with the women, but never remarked on it. That was the feature that everyone noticed in Lancelot first, his eyes were. They held a hint of mischief in them when he looked at you. Kelleigh gave an involuntary shiver. She wished he'd notice her for the woman she was, not the friend he saw in her.
Kelleigh was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear a man ride up to the hut. "Excuse me miss, but are you the daughter of Tiberius, the Sarmatian knight?" The man asked from the door. Kelleigh dropped the bowl she'd been holding, spilling its contents to the floor.
"I am. Why do you ask?" she replied.
"Your father is dead, miss," the man said. Kelleigh almost fainted. Instead, she looked at the man stupidly.
"What?" she managed to squeak out.
"Died of drunkenness, he did," the man replied. Kelleigh nodded her head.
"Leave him outside the hut, will you, sir?" Kelleigh asked, wishing that she could see Arthur and Lancelot. They'd know what to do.
"Yes, miss," the man said. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Have the Sarmatian knights returned?" Kelleigh asked, hoping they had.
"Aye, this morn. Have you need of them, miss?" He looked at her hopefully.
"Not in the way you're thinking, sir," Kelleigh replied. "Thank you kindly," she said, dismissing the man. He'd been looking at her with lust in his eyes. Her father would have let any man rape her, no questions asked. Now that he was dead, she was left unprotected while Arthur and Lancelot where away. Kelleigh drew in a shaky breath. She'd go to the garrison, talk to Arthur and Lancelot. They'd help her.
Kelleigh looked around for any sign of someone she knew. After her father had been left outside the hut, Kelleigh left to find Arthur or Lancelot, whomever she found first. She found her way among the stables, looking for a knight that could lead her to Lancelot or Arthur. She found none in the stables.
Sighing with frustration, Kelleigh found herself by the alehouse, where she found Vanora. "What can I do for you, Kelleigh?" Vanora asked.
"I'm looking for Arthur or Lancelot," Kelleigh said.
"Haven't seen 'em, but maybe Bors has," she said. "I'm sorry 'bout your father,"
"He wasn't a good father, but he was my father all the same," Kelleigh replied. Vanora nodded, and left her to go get Bors. Bors was the oldest knight. When he came out, Kelleigh noted that he was big, burly, and bald. He looked like he could crush her in two pieces.
"You must be the little miss Lancelot and Arthur worry about all the time," Bors said.
"Yes," Kelleigh replied. "Do you know where they are?"
"Artorius is in his quarters. Lancelot's with some woman," Bors replied. The last bit of information didn't surprise her.
"Where?" she asked.
"In the back," Bors pointed. Kelleigh nodded her thanks, and ran in the direction Bors had pointed, not caring if he called out for her to stop.
"Lancelot!" she called out, carefully weaving her way through the maze of hallways. "Lancelot!" She peeked in a room, and backed out quickly, wishing she'd never looked into the room. Bors came up behind her.
"Look here, lass, you can't be going ta look for the boy."
"I need him!" Kelleigh exclaimed.
"What the devil is going on?" Lancelot asked, walking out of the next room. "I keep hearing my name," He looked at Kelleigh. "Kelleigh, what are you doing here?" She launched herself into his arms, seeking comfort. Lancelot held her, rubbing her back. "I'll take care of it Bors," he said, leading Kelleigh away from the man. He led her out of the maze of hallways, and to the road, making their way to Arthur.
"He's gone," Kelleigh whispered. Lancelot stopped.
"Is that who gave you this bruise?" he asked, holding her at arms length away from him, touching the bruise gently with his fingers. Kelleigh nodded her head, looking into his eyes. "You're better for it."
"I know. Except now I am alone," Kelleigh stated walking as Lancelot led her to Arthur's quarters.
An hour later, Arthur, Lancelot, and Kelleigh were riding back to her hut. Arthur held her in front of him on the horse, while Lancelot rode beside them. Arthur had decided that she couldn't stay by herself at the hut, so they'd have her move into the garrison. Lancelot spurned the idea of her at the garrison, but he disliked the idea of her being by herself in the hut even more.
"We'll bury him with the others on Badon Hill," Arthur said. "He's a knight, after all."
"Aye," Kelleigh agreed, though she didn't want the noble knights to be tainted by her father. "In an unmarked grave far from the others." Kelleigh looked up at Arthur. He nodded.
"We'll see," Arthur said, looking at Lancelot. They shared a thought through their eyes, and Kelleigh knew they were thinking about her. They arrived at the hut, and Lancelot dismounted first. Arthur got off his horse, and then turned to help Kelleigh down.
"Thank you," she said, and then turned to the hut. "He's behind the hut." Her breath was shaky. Arthur took her hand in his.
"It'll be all right, Kelleigh. We'll take care of you," he said, squeezing lightly.
"Get your things packed," Lancelot said. "We'll get your father." Kelleigh nodded and left them outside.
Kelleigh was ready to go a few minutes later. She didn't have very many belongings. Just what clothing she had and the few things Arthur had given her to help make her life a bit easier. Lancelot and Arthur had her father draped over her horse, covered with a black blanket. "Ready?" Arthur asked. Kelleigh looked at him, chin up, shoulders squared, no emotion in her eyes.
"Yes," she said, and walked to him. Arthur mounted his horse, held out his hand, and Lancelot hoisted her up to Arthur. Kelleigh watched Lancelot mount his horse, and pick up the reins, plus a tether line to Kelleigh's horse. They looked at each other, the three of them, each thinking something different.
The ride back to the garrison was short, but left Kelleigh increasing afraid of her future. She had her pride, and didn't want to end up on the streets, looking for people to give her what she needed.
"Lancelot, take Tiberius to Badon Hill, we'll be along shortly. Take Bors with you," Arthur ordered. Lancelot nodded, and gigged his horse faster. Arthur stopped just outside the knight's quarters. He dismounted and looked up at Kelleigh. "Stay," he ordered. Kelleigh nodded. Arthur left, and went inside the building, leaving Kelleigh to stare at the building in front of her. It was stone, and very Romanesque. Arthur walked back out, followed by a boy younger than she was. The boy stared at her. "Kelleigh, this is Jols. He'll need help caring for the knights, are you willing to help?"
"Artorius, you dare ask me that?" Kelleigh said, jumping down from the horse and landing on her feet beside him.
"I dare," Arthur replied, grinning.
"Then I cannot say no," Kelleigh smiled back. "I'll be able to keep and eye on you," she giggled softly. Jols looked at the two of them as if they had gone mad, but didn't say anything. Kelleigh turned her smile on the younger boy. He smiled back.
"Welcome to the fort, Kelleigh," he said. Kelleigh nodded, and then looked at Arthur, unsure of herself.
"You'll do fine," he said, his green eyes open and honest. She knew that she meant something to Arthur that day. A sister perhaps, and felt better for it. Arthur would be a great man someday, and Kelleigh wanted to be there to see it.