Nine horses rode out into the black oblivion, three riding to the front and the remaining six to the rear.
Arthur talked briefly with the Woad girl who had taken to leading the way through the treacherous gloom of the forest; she knew this land well having lived in it her whole life. After entering the forest the party had to ride in single file through the narrow paths that appeared out of nowhere in the dense shadow. As they neared the village Day stopped her horse and turned to Arthur who rode close behind her.
"I need to help my father." She whispered hurriedly.
"But we need to make a plan." Countered Arthur as his face grew dark in concentration. "Is there any way in which you could lead the enemy from their hiding in the darkness?"
Day thought for a moment; her blue skin standing out eerily in the dark, her exotic markings winding across her slender frame.
"We could try and pull out from the village, into the forest. We know it much better than them."
Arthur nodded and gathered his Knights close as he formulated a plan.
"I need to go!" exclaimed Day with edginess as more screams reached their ears.
"I'll come with you." Came Anise's sharp voice as she moved her horse next to Day's.
The Knights looked up at Anise's serious face and Tristan handed her some of his small daggers and she leaned down to reach for them.
"If something happens then use these to protect yourself." He whispered roughly into her ear.
Nodding her head slightly she sat back atop the horse and gripped the daggers tightly.
Day urged her horse away and Anise followed only moments later; the two disappearing into the black of the woodland and leaving the Knights behind them.
"Do you know how to use them?" asked Day loudly over the sounds of fighting as they neared the village, nodding her head at the daggers.
"I'll learn." Shouted Anise as they rode straight into the fray.
Eiger was fighting viciously; hoping beyond hope that his daughter had made it to the fort and that the Knights would be coming to their aid soon. The Saxons were strong and large and wasted no time in running from the trees and fighting in close quarters. He was fighting one especially large Saxon when he caught sight of his daughter running towards him through the throng of fighting and screaming.
"Day!" he shouted hoarsely as he dodged the Saxon's large axe and sunk his blade deep into the man's chest.
"Father!" she called back before her way was blocked by two Saxons; an evil gleam flickering in their eyes as they looked over her slim body.
One began moving towards her in an attempt to grab her but she was too quick and reached for her sword just as his bulky arms stretched around her. She brought her sword down hard into his shoulder before he realised what was going on; his face surprised at her agility as his blood spurted out in a violent eruption. Ducking beneath his reach, Day span and brought her blade down brutally to slice across the other Saxon's chest and both feel to the floor in a heap.
"C'mon!" shouted Day as she turned to grab Anise and run towards her father.
Eiger stood next his daughter; both fighting off Saxons from every angle but still managing to stay close enough to hear each other's shouts over the din.
"And the Knights?" bellowed Eiger as he kicked an oncoming Saxon hard in the abdomen, bringing the man to his knees before dealing a fatal blow to his neck.
"They're here." Yelled back Day. "They've got a plan!"
Eiger growled in anger after cutting down another warrior.
"I should hope so."
Anise had yet to fight as so far no Saxon had approached her and she had stood within the safety of Day and her father. But this protection would not last long. One lank-haired and robust looking Saxon staggered his way towards the timid looking girl and laughed at his soon-to be prize. Yes she would make for a fine reward, he decided as he sneered and swung his axe as he neared her. Anise froze in fear, the motif on her arm suddenly burning like fire and she hurled herself at the approaching figure. He toppled the ground with the sheer force at which she had hit him, her figure and size belying her strength and he landed with a heavy thud on the leafy floor.
"Oh gods," growled Day as she slaughtered another Saxon and caught sight of Anise. "We need to retreat!" she screamed at her father who was battling not far from her left.
The Saxon that lay beneath Anise laughed at her spirit and grabbing her arms, flung her onto the ground a few metres from him. He heaved himself off the ground and eyed her with unhidden hunger before stalking his walk towards her. Anise lay amongst the dead leaves and bodies that scattered the forest floor; her curls splayed across her face and her eyes burning with rage. She pushed herself from the floor and trudged her way to the advancing Saxon. Landing a kick to his abdomen, the Saxon grabbed Anise's foot and twisted it causing her to fall to the floor beneath him.
"There's no use in fighting me little girl." He laughed, his deep voice booming down to her.
Anise sneered at him; her lip curling up as she clutched one of Tristan's daggers beneath the folds of her dress. She waited till he bent to grab her and thrust it deep into the furs covering his chest. She didn't stop until she felt it puncture his skin and then twisted it viciously for added pain. He began to lean towards her; his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open and Anise rolled out of the way just before he fell to the ground.
"I'll be taking that." She sneered as she yanked the bloody dagger from his chest and ran off to find Day and Eiger.
"Retreat?" replied Eiger.
"Yes, but we have to do it quickly so that the Saxons can't follow us into the forest." Barked his daughter as she paused momentarily to watch Anise as she retrieved her dagger and ran towards them.
"Alright but the Knights better hurry it up!" called Eiger as he began backing off towards the forest.
"Retreat!" he screamed in Celtic. "Retreat!"
Woads began pouring into the shadows of the wood, scampering off to unknown positions and disappearing into the suffocating gloom.
The Saxons stood warily around the fire, disappointed and anxious at the sudden disappearance of the Woads. Few ventured off after them as they met a gruesome end in the darkness, so the Saxons stood together around the fire, eyeing the trees with concern. Without warning four arrows flew out of the darkness and sent four Saxons spiralling towards the ground; dead. Growing more anxious and huddling together slightly the Saxons moved around restlessly; their axes and swords outstretched lest they meet any advancing enemies.
"Tristan, Bors, Galahad and Dagonet, again." Whispered Arthur sternly through the darkness.
Again four arrows came flying from different directions felling more Saxons and causing them to back towards the fire in fear.
"Now?" hissed Eiger impatiently to the Roman commander as they stood just outside the proximity of the village.
"No, I want to try something." He replied absently and beckoned Anise to his side. "Do you think you could try it?" Arthur asked with concern.
Day looked from her father to the girl standing next to her.
"I promise nothing Arthur but I'll try." Anise whispered calmly and moved towards the centre of the village.
"What is she going to do?" Day asked in bewilderment as she watched Anise go.
"Wait and see." Replied Arthur with a frown.
Day moved closer to her father for a better view and frowned as Anise moved ever closer to the Saxons through the darkness; her steps sure and with boldness she had never seen before.
Anise stepped into the circle of light that the large fire created and waited as the Saxons noticed her presence and scoffed at her lone figure.
"Sent a woman to do a man's job?" one sneered and began walking towards her, a swagger in her step and a gleam in his eye.
Anise felt the anger build inside her and stared at the progressing Saxons with a dangerous malice. She raised her arms slowly and let the energy surge through her veins; an intense heat running through her body and forming powers more destructive than those known to normal men. Her eyes slipped closed as she let the blast of blinding energy flare from her fingertips and hit the Saxons with such force that they flew backwards through the air and landed at the edge of the fire. They all looked staggered and cursed amongst themselves, lying where they had landed and gazing at the young girl with horror. Anise opened her eyes slowly and began pacing towards them forcefully. They struggled to find purchase amongst the undergrowth and resorted to wriggling backwards away from the approaching girl. Anise carried on walking towards them before blasting another beam of energy at them; the white light crackling with paranormal energies. The Saxons screamed in agony as the force hit them; their bodies writhing and contorting under the torture. Their blood boiled and it felt as though they were being ripped limb from limb as the blinding light danced through their bodies. After what seemed like an eternity the light vanished and they lay their limply; their bodies drained of life. Anise breathed heavily, her chest rising and falling with exertion and let her head fall forward onto her chest.
Everyone looked at the lone figure in disbelief as she stood abandoned in the fiery clearing and caught her breath. After a few moments she looked up and searched the darkness with her eyes for someone familiar. Only the oppressing gloom met her so she called out instead.
"Tristan?"
The dark knight appeared from the trees and stalked silently to her side. Anise raised her hand towards him and opened it to reveal his daggers; bloody but intact.
"I just wanted to return these." She breathed with a smile.
A/N: Nice bit of action and killing to get the blood boiling there, and of course some fireworks from the lovely Anise. Will we be hearing more from Day? Well you can always plead her importance if you do so wish lol. Thanks x