"I've never seen anything like it." Whispered Eiger in wonder as he watched Anise hand Tristan's daggers back to him. "Merlin never did anything like that."
Arthur smiled in approval and turned to look at Eiger who stood next to his horse.
"She's so powerful!" whispered Day as she paused next to her father's arm.
"Aye that she is." Murmured Gawain to her right as he stared at Anise.
Gradually the Woads had come out of hiding and returned to the fireside, marvelling at Anise in wonder and amazement. They had been cautious at first as she stood there but gradually they had overcome their fears and approached her, Eiger being the first.
"Thank you." He whispered. "We've never seen power like that before and we only hope you will continue to protect us as we will you." He finished with a respectful nod before kneeling down before her.
The rest of the Woads followed suit and Anise blushed at their formalness.
"You need not be so formal, I am but a simple maiden who just so happens to have powers. You need not fear or revere me in anyway." She said uncertainly and motioned for them all to stand again.
Baudoin approached the girl and laid a crooked hand on her shoulder.
"We have much to celebrate this night; Eiger's inauguration and the victory of the first battle fought under the new treaty." He spoke slowly in his rolling voice, the arrow had been removed from his shoulder but he was still in obvious pain.
"I think it time we return to the fort though. Anise is weary from her combat and needs her rest as do your kinfolk." Appealed Arthur kindly to Baudoin as he took Anise by the shoulders.
"Aye." Replied Baudoin and beckoned for Eiger to come forth. "This man will do us proud and you should call upon either him or his eldest daughter, Day, if you ever need to reach us."
The Knights nodded in response and Arthur shook hands with Eiger before his party trudged off towards their horses.
Day spoke quietly and swiftly with her father and he nodded before she called out after Arthur.
"My lord," she said kneeling. "If you would be so kind as to let me I wish to return with you to the fort. I can aid you in the way of my kin and I can help the Lady Anise in training and so on. I will also be of use if you ever need to contact my people as I know the ways of the forest." She raised her head expectantly and paused as Arthur seemed to consider her request.
"You may return with us Lady Day." Spoke out Arthur with a smile. "We will welcome you into our fort and we will welcome your assistance."
Day rose slowly from the ground, smiling slightly in appreciation and returned to her father's side swiftly to say goodbye. Eiger embraced his daughter tightly and patted her gently on the back before she left. Only once did she turn back before disappearing into the night; a smile gracing her gentle features and her arm raised in goodbye.
"You may take my horse Day." Smiled Anise as the Knights began to mount their steeds. "I shall ride with one of the Knights."
Day thanked her softly before climbing atop the dark mare and moving to face the Knights. Anise had settled herself in front of Gawain and the Knights looked ready to leave.
"Lead the way, Lady Day." Cried Arthur with a smile.
Jols took the horses back to the stables once the party had returned, leaving the Knights to attend to themselves. The men went to the tavern whilst Anise took Day into the fort and showed her around briefly.
"I'll give you a proper tour in the morning, but this is just so you have a basic idea of where everything is should you need something." Commented Anise kindly as they neared her chamber. "I'll call for a room to be made up for you and I'll try to make it close to at least one of our rooms."
"Thank you." Day smiled her thanks and followed Anise into her room.
"I thought you might want a change of clothes after the battle so you can borrow one of my dresses tonight if you wish." Called Anise over her shoulder as Day shut the door behind her; ceasing the breeze that flowed through the room.
Anise pulled out a loose mulberry coloured dress and presented it to Day.
"Will this do?"
Day stared in wonder at the dress and nodded her head.
"I'm not used to wearing dresses to be honest. I'm more used to my warrior clothing." She mumbled as Anise pulled a screen across the room, allowing the two women some privacy to change.
Day disposed of her effective warrior attire and laid it carefully on the bed before she washed the blue dye from herself quickly. After gently tugging on the dress she admired herself in the mirror. The dress hung well from her shoulders and all though it was loose, it fitted well in just the right places. Day smiled at her reflection and rearranged her long, brown tresses so that they sat more comfortably around her shoulders.
"What's it like?"
"What's what like?" replied Anise absently as she picked out a clean dress for herself.
"Well being a witch." Whispered Day from the other side of the screen.
Anise laughed and poked her head over the top of the screen to see Day peering back innocently.
"I only found out a few days ago but it's…strange."
"Strange?" echoed Day as Anise struggled to pull the dress over her head.
"Yes." Mumbled Anise through the fabric of the dress. "I'm not sure what I can do with them yet. So far I've just let my emotions deal with them and hoped they stayed under control." She finished as her head broke through into the light again and she began pushing the screen out of the way.
"You were so powerful out there. I've never seen anything like it." Whispered Day in stunned wonderment; her exotic markings trailing languorously around her arms and neck and disappearing under the fabric of the dress and haven of her hair.
Anise smiled at the girl and began leading her from the room.
"How old are you Day?"
Day tutted casually and linked her arms with Anise as they strolled towards the tavern.
"Well I'm my father's eldest and I'm nearing 18. My younger brother, Gryfn, is 17 and our little sister, Jocosta, is only 14."
"You must be proud of your father seeing as he now leads your kin." Commented Anise softly.
"Aye. It's just a shame my mother isn't here to see it." Remarked Day with remorse. "She was killed in a Roman attack."
Anise hugged the girl closer to her side as they rounded the corner near the tavern.
"Two mothers taken by two sides."
The Knights sat around their usual table in the tavern that night, drinking in earnest, talking, joking and throwing knives. It was their usual ritual and they kept Vanora very busy, as usual. The unusual occurrence however was the arrival of Anise and Day. The two swept into the tavern and approached the Knights table. Day hustled towards the table with less confidence as they had seen her fight with; she wasn't used to being somewhere like this and preferred the battlefield any day. Anise smiled to comfort her anxiousness and seated herself next to Gawain. Day sat herself not to far from Anise as she felt safe around her new friend and chose the space between Gawain and Tristan. The scout looked up briefly as she sat down and she glanced a smile at his quiet figure, making herself comfortable on the bench.
"Where have you been?" Gawain whispered into Anise's ear, taking the chance to lace his hand within her's beneath the table.
"I was sorting out Day and myself." She whispered back and he kissed her softly on the head. "We can't keep this a secret for much longer Gawain, Tristan already knows about us."
"How did you know?" Gawain murmured uneasily.
"What? He told me he saw us at the stables that day."
"Oh." Gawain chuckled into his drink and eyed Anise mischievously.
She tutted at his brazenness and nudged his thigh gently before joining the conversation at the table.
Tristan had sat quietly whilst the Knights had talked rowdily and had only left the table once within an hour to go and throw some knives for some idle competition.
He had returned to his seat just as silently as he had left it and Day found his presence comforting as he sat down next to her. He held the same stoic expression as always and Day found herself studying his tattoos with interest. Tristan looked up suddenly; his dark, intense eyes meeting her emerald, lucid ones and he was a little surprised when she held his gaze without blushing or turning away.
"Your tattoos show which tribe you're from?" she asked coolly.
Tristan nodded slightly at her question causing his braids to shift slightly across his face.
"What do yours mean?"
"They are simply for decoration, but some show which family you are from but only if you come from a long line of great warriors or people with importance." Day replied smoothly as his eyes traced the markings which wound their way across her arms.
They sat in silence for a while longer until Day grew tired and wished to return to her room.
"Anise," she uttered quietly as not to disturb the conversation and leaned across Gawain's back to tap Anise on the shoulder. "I'm sorry to disturb you but I know not the way to my chamber." She muttered apologetically.
"I'll take you, I was heading back to my room anyway." Came the rumbling voice of Tristan as it rolled off his tongue.
Day waved away Anise with a smile and let herself be led from the tavern by the ominous scout.
As they walked through the quiet streets of the fort, the noise from the hostelry fading behind them Day found herself staring at the man walking beside her.
"You don't talk much." She stated subtly.
"I say what has to be said my lady." Replied Tristan mutely.
Day considered his words for a moment and passed as he stopped to open a door. He felt her emerald eyes dancing across his face and walked into the room silently and motioned for her to follow him.
"This shall be your chamber. Mine is just across the hall lest you need assistance."
Day glanced briefly around her room and upon finding it to her liking; although never having slept in a proper bed before, she returned her yawning pools of clarity to the enigmatic Knight standing in front of her. He didn't unnerve her as he did so many other people as she knew the bloodlust he felt on the battlefield. She had to admit it but she too enjoyed the kill and the feeling of satisfaction that she got after using her imagination and finding new ways of felling her enemies. Although she was outspoken, her eyes told a different story that Tristan found himself reading and couldn't help but move towards her.
"I bid you goodnight my lady." He whispered huskily as he tore his eyes from her's and moved towards the door.
"And I you Sir Knight." Day responded before he shut the door with a quiet snap.
A/N: So we've gained another young girl and another romance? Maybe...maybe not lol. Ailis-70 really has to stop putting ideas in my head lol. What do we think? Like? Not like? Cast your votes ladies and gentlemen please! Thanks x