"Jade what's the matter?" anise asked worriedly as the small girl pulled her frantically up the uneven steps to the battlements "What's happ-" But she stopped mid-sentence as the mass of Saxons came into her view.
Anise gasped and felt Jade hide herself in the woman's skirts; her fists holding tightly to the material and Anise's hand stroking her hair. The army had seemingly stopped for the time being as there was minor movement within the ranks and they seemed to be sitting down. But Anise knew it would not last long. She grabbed Jade into her arms and set off at a run back towards the tavern. Jade buried her face in Anise's hair and looked around wide-eyed as she could feel the fear emanate from Anise.
"Vanora!" yelled Anise as she ran into the tavern.
Vanora's flaming hair popped up from behind the bar; her face coated with worry as she watched Anise run towards her.
"It's the Saxons. They're outside!"
Vanora's mouth opened in a fearful 'o' and she let the mug she'd been holding fall from her hand and crash to the floor.
"What are we going to do? The Knights are away." Vanora asked; her voice shaking as she stared at Anise.
"I'll gather the centurions with Jols and we'll think of something, but for the moment gather you children and get everyone inside of the fort, now!" Anise shouted the last part with urgency as she began to run out of the tavern, only looking back to see Vanora nod numbly.
Anise then suddenly realised Jade was still perched on her hip and she bent down to dispose of the young girl back to her mother.
"Jade you need to go and help your mother and get inside the fort." Muttered Anise softly as she attempted to wrestle the girl off her.
Jade began to cry and clawed at Anise in a struggle to regain her previous position as the woman set her down on the floor.
"It's alright darling," Anise whispered as she tried to soothe the tearful girl. "Be a brave girl and help your mummy."
Jade finally let go of Anise with a sob and walked away slowly back to the tavern; making sure Anise was still there as she watched over her shoulder. Anise stayed put till the girl had reached the tavern and then she set off at a run to find the squire, Jols. She flew into the stable; skidding on the stone slabs and running into the straw-strewn shelter.
"Jols!" Screamed Anise in panic and upon hearing her voice out ran Jols from a side-door.
"What is it Lady Anise?" he asked in alarm and gazed over her flustered form.
"The Saxons. They've arrived." She replied shortly whilst looking around in a vain attempt to form a plan. "I need you to help me gather the centurions and is there any way of reaching the Knights?"
Jols shook his head sadly at her request.
"No my Lady. The only way to reach them would be to go by horse and that would be certain death."
Anise sagged at his gentle response, her hope fading before her eyes, but she regained the urgency at which she had sought out the squire and the two ran out of the stables.
"Orthocles!" shouted Jols brusquely. "Round up the men for battle!"
The Roman nodded sharply before shouting roughly in Latin and striding off towards the armoury. Romans were scattering everywhere in a rush to arm themselves and prepare for the imminent Saxon invasion.
Anise sighed as it seemed a futile attempt at trying to stop the mass of physically powerful Saxons and Jols gave her a small smile.
"Do you think you'd be able to do anything to stop them?" He asked as they entered the armoury and grabbed swords and armour.
"I doubt it on such a large scale but I can try to hold them off when they strike. But I can't promise anything." Anise confirmed with doubt and Jols nodded silently.
They looked at each other one last time before embracing with as much cheer as they could manage and parting their separate ways.
The Knights were riding steadily along the road when Tristan came pelting down the road towards them. The Knights had been returning from their mission after finding very little but they were happy enough to be out in the open air rather than locked away in the fort.
Arthur stared seriously at his scout as he yanked his horse to a stop beside his commander and caught his breath. Arthur could tell he'd been riding hard so he knew something was wrong.
"What is it?" He enquired with quiet concern.
"Saxons." Retorted Tristan angrily. "They've made their way round to the west and have beaten us to the fort."
Arthur's mouth gaped open in shock at the news and he halted his horse with a blunt pull on the reins.
"We'll have to fight through them to even get near the fort." Commented Tristan; his voice tinged with hostility as his heart stirred at the notion of a possible battle.
Arthur muttered for his scout to go and gather Day's tribe and any other Woads he could find that would be useful in battle and Tristan sped off hastily.
"What's going on Arthur?" queried Lancelot anxiously, his horse dancing with anticipation.
"Prepare for battle Knights. The Saxons have arrived at the fort." Exclaimed Arthur gravely as he placed his plumed helmet on his head and waited for his knights to do the same.
Anxious murmurs ran throughout the group as the Knights put on their own helmets and paused for guidance from their commander. Arthur nodded silently as the men kicked their horses' ribs sharply and set off at a fierce gallop; Bors' battle cry resounding in the snowy landscape.
"Day!" bellowed Tristan gruffly as he rode into the village; a large group of Woads behind him. "Day!"
Day suddenly appeared from one of the nearby huts at his calls and she ran towards him.
"What is it?" she asked; her emerald eyes glimmering in anxiety at the power held in his voice.
"The Saxons." He replied shortly, gazing at her sternly and resisting the urge to reach out and hold her.
Day nodded quickly and yelled out in Celtic. People instantly ran from their huts and grabbed weapons and supplies in their haste. Eiger emerged next to his daughter and stared past Tristan to look at the gathered Woads.
"What's going on?" He asked the dark scout grimly.
"The Saxons are surrounding the fort." Tristan spoke with a dangerous tone and Eiger's jaw tightened at the response.
"Very well, we shall prepare for battle and ride out with you." Eiger muttered briefly and stalked off in search of his own weapons.
Day watched her father go and turned back to face Tristan. She could sense his bloodlust growing and his impatience to be gone, his eyes darkened at the thought of a battle but he stood silently waiting.
"I'll go and gather my weapons." She stated finally and turned to go when an arm grabbed her.
"Stay here and look after the children of the village." Tristan muttered in his low growl and tightened his grip on her arm as she moved to break free.
"I am much a warrior as you." She replied with passion. "Anyway the children are being looked after already and I'm needed in battle." Day's eyes blazed with fervour and Tristan let her go with a stern glare as she ran off to collect her sword and bow.
After a few more minutes those able in the village had gathered behind Eiger who stood facing the dark Knight.
"We are ready Sir Tristan." He declared with aggression and the Woads moved restlessly as the tension began to build.
Tristan nodded resolutely and moved away to mount his steed, glancing across to his left as Day fell into step with him. He couldn't help but let his sinister eyes wander across her scantily-clad form as she walked beside him. She looked over to see him gazing at her intently from behind his braids and she jumped up onto his horse before he stop her. He looked surprised if only for a second before climbing up behind her and seizing the reins. He held her firmly between his thighs before directing his attention at the gathered Woads.
"Into battle!" He roared in his deep rumble, sending shivers down Day's spine as his chest vibrated against her back and they galloped off abruptly through the forest; a throng of screaming Woads running behind them.
A/N: A bit of a short one just to build the tension as I hope to make the next chapter quite powerful and exciting, but knowing me it'll be a total dud lol. Ailis-70's reviews have had me bouncing around in glee hehehe and all of your reviews have been so kind and supportive so I hope I can write a really good chapter to keep everyone gripped lol. Thanks x