Thank you, LegolasIsMine and KIHarwick for reviewing! Your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated. Since you've been so kind, I'm putting up another chapter. It will take a little while to get to where I want this story to be, but stay with me. The knights and Kyla are just getting to know each other. Please continue to read and review!
The gown really was beautiful. It brought out Kyla's green eyes and stood out against her long, dark hair. She hadn't felt like a woman in a very long time. It was actually nice to be clean and dressed in a beautiful gown. It fit her almost perfectly also. She marveled at how it hung on her curves.
Marie led Kyla to a large room but left her at the door. "I have to go check on my family, but you go on in," she said, quietly excusing herself.
Kyla thanked her once again and walked in. All the knights were already gathered around a great round table. She stopped when she saw it, and nervously noted all the knights had stopped what they were doing to look at her.
"Kyla," Arthur said, standing up. "I am glad you came."
Kyla nodded in his direction, suddenly becoming very shy. Shyness was new to her and she didn't know how to react. The dark knight sat close to Arthur and his brown eyes seemed to be drilling holes in her.
"Please, come and sit down," Arthur said, motioning for Kyla to sit by him. She made her way around the table and chose a seat.
"Do you know my knights?"
"No," Kyla answered, finally finding her voice.
"We should introduce you," Arthur said. Starting from the left side of the round table, he began to list them off. "Galahad, Gawain, Tristan, Bors, Dagonet. And this is Lancelot." He motioned toward the dark knight.
Galahad and Gawain had to be brothers, Kyla noted. They had a striking resemblance. Bors looked like a rough fellow but had a pleasant look on his face. Dagonet, tall and stoic, intimidated her the most, but even he smiled kindly in her direction. Tristan seemed like a mysterious man with braids in his dark hair which fell over his eyes and tattoos caressing his cheeks. Her eyes fell on the dark knight who had helped her earlier in the day, Lancelot. Curly dark locks framed his face and deep brown eyes.
"Knights, this is Kyla. She has been serving the Bishop for a year now, and she too shall receive her freedom tonight."
At this Bors stood up, holding a drink. "To freedom!"
The other knights raised their glasses and replied with the same, all drinking.
Just then Horton entered and announced Bishop Germanius. Kyla saw his eyebrows rise at the sight of the round table. The Bishop swished in with his long robes and stopped in his tracks.
"A round table. What sort of devilry is this?" Horton hissed to Jols, Arthur's page.
"Arthur believes that for me to be men they must first all be equal," Jols answered.
"I was told there would be more of you," Bishop Germanius said, a frown creasing his old face, making his eyes look even beadier.
"There were. We have been fighting here for fifteen years," Arthur answered.
"Oh yes, of course," the Bishop said, finding a seat right next to Arthur. "Brave knights, you have fought well and survived and it was all leading up to this, your last days of service."
"Day, not days," Lancelot corrected. The Bishop merely waved his hand.
"The pope has taken a personal interest in Arthur and his knights. He inquires about each of you, if you have accepted the Word of our Savior and Lord Jesus, or…"
"They have retained the religion of their forefathers. I have never questioned that," Arthur interjected.
"Oh, I see," Bishop Germanius said, his smile fading. "So they are pagans."
"Would you like to take them prisoner also?" Kyla asked.
The bishop glanced over at her, apparently noticing her for the first time. "What is she doing here?"
"I asked her to come," Arthur replied.
"Why? She has no business here."
"I am requesting that her freedom be given tonight as well as my men's."
"What? You have no authority to do that," the bishop said angrily. "She is my servant."
"I did not realize that you kept slaves, Bishop," Arthur said coolly.
The bishop shut his mouth at that and apparently decided to leave the subject alone for now. "Your knights have an excuse for not knowing the right path. But you, Arthur, you are a Christian, and yet I saw an image of Pelagius in your room."
"He took my father's place for me. I learned a great deal about free will and equality from him. I look forward to our reunion in Rome," Arthur answered.
Kyla's heart sank at hearing this. She knew the truth, which apparently Arthur did not know. She was there when they had killed Pelagius. Bishop Germanius had headed up the campaign to have him executed for his teachings on those exact subjects. That was not too long after she had arrived in Rome. She watched the bishop's face fall as he heard this as well.
"Rome awaits your arrival with great anticipation," he merely said, quickly recovering, and her anger burned for this supposed man of God even more. He was not going to tell Arthur the truth. "You have defended the land well, but alas, Rome has decided to abandon indefensible outposts. And this, Britain, is no longer defensible."
"So what shall become of the land?" Arthur asked.
"It is God's will. Most likely the Saxons will claim it."
"The Saxon?" Lancelot asked.
"Yes, a massive Saxon incursion has begun in the north."
Kyla pondered on this information carefully. The Romans were leaving; Britain would no longer be occupied by a foreign body. Unless the Saxons could not be stopped. She hated the Romans, but even she had to admit the Saxons would be the worst tenants. They killed everything and everybody with not even a God to slow or control their actions.
"So you will just leave the land to the Woads?" Galahad asked. "I have risked my life for nothing."
The bishop smiled and motioned Horton to his side, who brought a mahogany box. "Your discharge papers, brought with safe conduct across the breadth of the Roman Empire." He held open the box. The knights all rose as they sensed their freedom within their grasp.
"But, we are all merely players in a game and there is business to attend to. I must speak with your commander. In private," Bishop Germanius added as none of the knights moved.
"We have no secrets," Arthur said.
To this, the bishop slammed the box loudly with a displeased look on his face. After a moment, Lancelot raised his glass.
"Come, let us leave Roman business to the Romans," he said. He took a drink and walked out.
The other knights did the same, although Bors stared a little longer than the others. Kyla got up and left as well, although the curiosity was itching her to know what was being said in that room.
She stood awkwardly in the hallway, unsure of what to do or where to go. Dagonet, seeing her indecision, approached her.
"You should join us outside. We are celebrating," he said.
Kyla smiled. "Thank you. I think I just might."