Jocosta was running full-tilt down the corridor, and almost ran straight into Gawain. He was unaware of her until she knocked into him and nearly fell face first onto the stone tiles, but he reached out and caught her just before she hit the ground. She hadn't time to thank him but instead righted herself in a fluster and peered into the open doorway beside him.
"Where are Day and Tristan?" She asked with a terrified expression.
"I was just looking for them too, they are gone," Said Gawain slowly, trying to decipher the reason for her panic. "Jocosta what's wrong?" He asked evenly, his grip tightening protectively on her arms.
"Gryfn," She panted fretfully, her eyes scanning everywhere possible before landing back on Gawain's tense face. "He said the witch, the witch is evil. She has Anise under her control, she had him too but he broke the bond. We have to stop her."
Gawain growled as she finished and grabbed her hand as he took off at a run.
"First we get Gryfn, then we go back for Anise." He stated darkly, his face set with grim determination and his eyes darker then before.
"Shouldn't we get the others? And what if Anise has gone?" Jocosta called over the noise made by the passing air as they were running so fast.
Gawain thought about it as they ran on, stopping them as they reached the end of the corridor outside the Table Room.
"Ok, we'll split up, but if you come under any danger I want you to scream and run as fast as you can, right?" Gawain demanded hastily, waiting briefly for Jocosta to nod determinedly. "Have you any weapons? Here take this." Gawain said quickly and thrusted a small dagger towards Jocosta.
She blinked and quickly took the decorative blade, realising the severeness of this situation and silently promising not to let Gawain down.
"You go and get the others, see if you can find Tristan and Day, and I'll go and get Anise and Gryfn." Settled Gawain, his voice stern and steely and Jocosta gave him a quick nod before running off in the opposite direction.
"Remember, scream and run, as fast as you can!" Gawain shouted after her, watching her disappear down the corridor and out of sight before he too took off.
Flying into the tavern, Jocosta all but landed on one of the tables. She braced herself on it, fighting desperately to regain her breath and looked up to see Galahad, Dagonet, Bors and Lancelot starring at her quizzically.
"Jocosta what is it?" Galahad asked quickly, sensing her fright.
She shook her head quickly and leaned towards him distractedly.
"You all have to come…quickly!" She urged them, her words coming in fits and starts; dispersed by a restless pant. "We are all in danger. The witch, the witch has Anise under her control."
All of the Knights present started immediately, knocking over their pitchers of ale and starting for the door.
"I thought this witch was meant to be helping?" Lancelot growled angrily.
"Nay, she has turned. She is using her powers for evil." Countered Jocosta, unfazed by the brooding Knight's behaviour.
Suddenly she was lifted into the air by two strong arms, and letting out a startled shriek she raised her head to see Dagonet.
"You are tired, it's easier this way." He coaxed gently, although the seriousness of the situation infringed on his booming tone.
Jocosta was about to protest but Dagonet was already out the door, striding towards the fort: Lancelot leading the pack. She seemed almost weightless in his arms from her perspective and looked over to give Galahad a coy smile. He returned it momentarily before restoring his thoughts to the dire situation, only looking back when Jocosta let out a small yelp, jumping out of Dagonet's arms.
"What is it?" Dagonet asked quietly, his booming voice soft yet commanding.
"I need to find Day and Tristan!" Jocosta cried breathlessly and began whirling on the spot, searching for any sign of them.
The Knights looked between themselves, silently questioning each other of their whereabouts but only receiving shrugs. Unexpectedly Bors scratched his head and let out a small noise of recollection.
"I think I saw 'em head off towards the blacksmiths!"
Jocosta let out a sigh of relief and directed herself in the nearest route to find them.
"Go and get Arthur!" She shouted before disappearing off into the throng of people.
Lancelot growled and regained his menacing expression, calling the Knights onwards.
"Tristan it's beautiful!" Whispered Day in awe.
The ominous scout smiled gently, the corners of his mouth curling upwards and his near-black eyes dancing with contentment.
"I had it made specially. The leaves represent the forest and the soaring hawk is freedom and unity with nature." He pondered huskily, pointing at the engraving on the small silver ring.
Day could simply stare in admiration at the gleaming band, fingering it carefully in the dim light of the blacksmith's. She looked up from the ring, catching Tristan's warm gaze and smiled back at him.
"Thank you."
Their lips met a moment later in a loving embrace, and Tristan pocketed the ring.
"Hey I thought that was for me!" Gasped Day in shock, giving Tristan a confused grin as he kept his amused, yet mysterious smirk.
"Well you can't have it till the wedding, now can you?" He rumbled, laughter interlacing with his words.
Day rolled her eyes and gave him another quick kiss on the lips before taking his arm and walking outside with him companionably. They strolled for a while, talking softly and laughing every now and then. Both of their eyes' sparkled in the chill winter air as they walked, Day snuggled close into Tristan's arm and he leant down to kiss the top of her head. The picture of bliss was ruined though as Day's head jerked up at the scream of her name. Tristan followed her gaze, swiftly deciphering Jocosta being dragged roughly back into a darkened alleyway, a gnarled hand coming to rest over her screaming mouth.
"There." Tristan said instantly, pointing towards the alleyway in which he had seen the girl taken and he and Day set off at a run.
They entered the dirty street silently, being careful not to trip in the dim of the side-street. A few stray cats made screeching bays as they were disturbed and scattered off into the shadows. Tristan looked around warily, putting an arm behind him to shield Day as he unsheathed his sword with the distinct sliding sound of metal. The blade glinted in the gloomy light of the alley and no sounds of the bustling fort could be heard anymore as they trekked deeper and deeper into the alley. Suddenly a muffled scream sounded from the right and Tristan turned his head just in time to see a bright flash of metal appear in front of him, hardly a hair's breadth away from his chest. His own sword came up to brush the other away, knocking it backwards but it retreated quickly to its owner's hand. He stepped out into the mouth of the shadowy side-street that the attacker was lurking in and glared at the hunched figure that stood there. The pale, gnarled hand was still pressed firmly over a terrified looking Jocosta's mouth; the girl's eyes widened in fear and her chest rising and falling sharply. The pale arm disappeared into a ragged cloak; its ends tattered and ripped, yet the hood partially masking the owner's face.
Day questioned Tristan fiercely with her eyes from her position against the wall, but Tristan bade her to stay perfectly still with his eyes as they slid to pass over her. She understood his command and kept close to the wall, peering around in the darkness to see if there was anything else there. Tristan kept his position in the mouth of the alley, his sword outstretched as he glared menacingly at the cloaked figure. His stance spoke power and bloodlust as he stood, glaring fiercely at the individual who let out a cruel, heartless laugh. They raised their head until just enough of the hood fell away so that Tristan could see them clearly in the murky shade. Two grey eyes sparkled out from the darkness, long tangled locks of grey hair fell from the hood to rest over her shoulders. The sword was still held steady out towards Tristan and he could see the evil leer she held on her face.
"What argument do you have with the girl?" Tristan demanded gruffly, glaring out from behind his unruly braids.
The laugh sounded in the alley again before subsiding with an arrogant snort.
"I have no argument with the girl, dear Knight," She replied with a sneer; her voice fractured and lilting. "But how else am I to make it into the fort without a reason?"
Tristan's eyebrows knitted slightly in confusion and he glanced down to look at Jocosta's fearful eyes before staring back at the old hag.
"You see I'm not sure any of you precious Knights would want this girl's blood spilled." She continued, gripping Jocosta's face more tightly with her nails until she drew blood, making a point.
Jocosta's cries were muffled beneath the twisted hand as she struggled and Tristan let out a deep growl.
"What business do you have here?" He demanded again, his voice dangerously low.
"Step aside Knight, I haven't time for these petty games." The woman commanded roughly, all mockery lost from her voice and only a serious threat left to take its place.
Tristan stayed exactly where he was, unmoving as the battle of wills took place. A flash of silver caught his eye though as a small dagger was produced from Jocosta's hand. The old hag let out a scream as the small blade plunged into her stomach and she staggered backwards, releasing Jocosta who leapt forward towards Tristan. He kept his sword poised as he hugged Jocosta protectively to him and watched the figure lurch to her feet, clutching at her stomach and glowering in the direction of the girl.
"This is far from over." She spat before the darkness swallowed her and Tristan and Jocosta were left alone in the alley.
Resheathing his sword, Tristan pulled Jocosta away slightly and bent down to look at her.
"Are you ok?" He asked softly, brushing her hair from her face to make sure she wasn't hurt.
"I'm fine, thank you." She breathed, fingering the small wound on her cheek from whence the attacker had drawn blood.
Day appeared then from the darkness, crouching down beside Tristan and peering at her sister in concern.
"Day, we have to leave now." Insisted Jocosta hastily, remembering what she had set out to do. "That was the witch, she's turned Day. And now she has Anise."
Day gasped at the seriousness and fear in her sister's voice and they all started to run from the alley.
"Gryfn?" Day announced all of a sudden, glancing at her sister's over her shoulder as they appeared back in the light of the fort.
"He's fine, but we have to find him and quick. The others have gone to get Arthur, and Gawain has gone to get Gryfn and Anise."
Gawain burst through the door to his chamber, cursing loudly as he saw the empty bed and stopping to run a hand through his hair and look around frantically for any sign of where she could have gone. Upon finding nothing, he ran back out of the room and towards Gryfn's chamber.
His pounding footsteps slowed though as he neared the open door of the chamber and his heavy breathing was the only thing he could hear as he walked up towards the room and peered inside. Nothing.
"Shit."
He let out a frustrated growl and kicked the doorframe; the wood rattling on its hinges. His hand fingered the hilt of his sword restlessly and Gawain tried to decide what to do next; his fear for Anise and fear of what she might do in the forefront of his whirling mind as he set off at a steady stride, quickly building into a sprint.
The other Knights practically mowed Gawain down as they rounded the corner. Both parties jumped backwards in response to their quick reflexes and added alertness but let out relieved sighs after seeing who it was.
"Where have you been?" Lancelot asked Gawain instantly, falling into step beside the blonde Knight as they strode off to Arthur's chambers.
"To find Gryfn and Anise, they're both gone." He growled back, his fists clenching out of nervous energy and anger at the control held over Anise.
"Well we'll see if Arthur has any bright ideas." Lancelot replied edgily, glaring determinedly forward as they walked.
A moment later they arrived in the corridor leading to Arthur's chamber and quickened their paces in anticipation. Nearing the door, a body was suddenly thrown backwards out of the room and landed with a pained groan and weighty thud against the stone wall opposite. It was Gryfn.
A/N: Well seeing as I'm finding writing fun and relaxing after my revision you might get more then I thought lol. Sorry this chapter (and maybe ones to come) are a bit choppy and all over the place but it's the way I write them so tough lol. So witchy has arrived and can we all guess where Anise is and what she's trying to do? Ooo I think so! Now all we have to wait and see is whether somebody is going to stop her, anyone up for the challenge? -tumbleweed- Er guys? Lancelot? Gawain? Dare I ask, Jocosta! Right...Thanks for all your fabulous reviews! One day I will get round to writing a lil individual thanks, one day lol. Thanks x