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When the Bishop walked in a while later Gawain, Bors, Tristan and Lancelot were all on the benches cleaning and sharpening their weapons. Galahad was pacing, Arthur was being outfitted by Jols, and Star was taking Practice shots at a wooden pillar. When the Bishop walked in Dagonet pushed past him.
"To represent the holy court," The Bishop cut in on their private dialogue, "my trusted secretary, Horton…" when the aide did not appear, the Bishop turned slightly, "Horton?" The aide appeared, bowing his head in apology. "…will accompany you on your quest."
Shocked silence followed his proclamation.
"Jols, find him a horse." Arthur directed the squire. Gawain angrily inserted his dagger into the bench.
"This way." Jols instructed Horton and led him to a stall.
"Godspeed, as you fulfill your duty to Rome." The Bishop smiled.
"My duty is also to my men." Arthur informed him.
"Then get them home." The Bishop smirked and before he left he looked at Star. "She is coming?"
"Yes. They need some fun on their last mission." Star said making her cleavage show. The bishop swallowed and left.
"I don't think I want to know." Tristan said shaking his head at his wife who was giggling.
They swept out of the fort. Arthur at the head, as usual, followed by Lancelot, then Gawain and Galahad, then Bors and Dagonet, and finally Tristan and Star. No one spoke. No words were needed.
Tristan were scouting ahead. But when Tristan was near they kept exchanging small smiles and significant looks. That night when Tristan returned to camp, the knights had recovered enough to start teasing.
"Well well, if it isn't the silent lovebird!" Lancelot called out as he rode into camp. Lancelot was always bugging Tristan about his marriage.
The scout wife laughed amiably and the male stayed silent although his eyes twinkled.
"Tease all you want." Star jibed back at the three. "But at least we got some last night."
With that she left the three open mouthed and a smirking Tristan.
"Well I'll be." Bors scratched his head bewildered. "Tris. I never know why you picked her."
"Oh excuse me." Star reentered the scene. "I forgot something in my exit." With that and a grin she dragged Tristan away and left the three other knights laughing.
"I love you!" Star sang out as she dragged Tristan under the sagging branch of a Great Oak. She danced around, still attached to his hand until he pulled her in and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I love you to." He let her know in his quiet voice before claiming her lips in a breathtaking kiss. "And I always will. Remember that." And they became one that night once again.
They rode into the property of one Marius Honorious. Star was immediately disgusted by the ornate taste. She frowned as they pulled to a halt and surveyed the surrounding village.
"Who are you?" A guard yelled down. Star looked at Tristan and made a face.
"I am Arthur Castus. Commander of the Sarmatian Knights, sent by Bishop Germanius of Rome." Arthur replied to the mercenary. "Open the gate."
The gate was opened a few moments later to reveal a short, fat man in ornate robes and flanked by three mercenaries. Star got an overwhelming urge to throw a dagger and be done with it.
"It is a wonder you have come." The man said as he walked through. "Good Jesus. Arthur and his Knights." He attempted to pat Galahad's horse but the young knight pulled his horse back. "You have fought the Woads. Vile creatures."
"Our orders are to evacuate you immediately." Arthur got straight to the point, not even bothering with pleasantries.
"But that…that is impossible." The fat man stammered.
"Which is Alecto?" Arthur started to search the faces of the villagers.
"I am Alecto." The boy on the wall was sickly skinny and pale, much like the woman next to him whom Star took to be his mother. She looked abused.
"Alecto is my son." The fat man stated the obvious.
"No really?" Star muttered to Galahad wryly. The knight sniggered lightly and earned a slight glare from a mercenary. "I think he's checking you out." This earned Star a punch on the arm from Galahad.
"Some friend you are." He muttered back as Arthur and Fat/Ugly Man yammered on about some technical stuff.
"I know." Star shook her head grinning.
They tuned back in just in time for Fat Man to refuse to leave. Star nudged Galahad and moved her horse closer so that she was next to Arthur and Gawain.
"Go back to work! All of you!" Fat Man yelled at the villagers and his mercenaries pushed them all back to work. As the bullying continued Arthur dismounted and strode up to Fat Man. Star grabbed the horses' reins.
"If I fail to bring you and your son back, my men can never leave this land." Arthur informed Fat Man. "So you're coming with me, if I have to tie you to my horse and drag you to Hadriens Wall myself. My lord." The family seemed affronted at this. "Lady my knights are hungry." He added to abused Lady. She sent a questioning glance at her husband who nodded and headed to the house, closely followed by Alecto. Fat Man was about to follow when he turned around and spoke.
"Is that your maid?" he asked.
"No wh…" Star began before Arthur hand was on her mouth.
"Knight." Arthur said glaring at Star. Star huffed but didn't say anything.
While Arthur and everyone else did stuff Star was drawn to a door that was began blocked off. She watched them before walking to them.
She asked a mercenary, "What is that?"
"A holy place." One answered looking her up and down.
"Really? I thought Holy places were spacious and well nice looking." She said glaring at him.
"this is a special Holy place.." the other began looking around to see if his master around before finishing. "For sinners."
Star pretended to be surmised. "What kind of sinners."
"Pagans and others. They are began tortured for their sins as we speak." He said with a low evil chuckle. Star took out her knives and said, "Stop and open the door. ARTHUR!" she screamed.
"What are you doing? Stop this!" Came the shouts of Fat Man, who Star had learned was called Marius. The Roman came striding over to stop Arthur but was blocked by Bors. After contemplating the wall, and ignoring the knights warnings Arthur called Dagonet to pull it down. He did and then kicked in the door. Arthur grabbed a torch and went in, followed by Lancelot, then Star, a priest, and then Gawain.
As they descended the spiral stair they heard chanting in Latin.
"Who are these defilers of the lord's temple?" A wretched man demanded coming out of the second chamber. The first was surrounded with corpses strung up by their wrists.
"Out of the way." Lancelot pushed the man aside and looked around the second chamber. The sight was horrific. Everywhere that they looked there were decayed or decaying bodies in all forms of torture positions and cages. "the work of your god." Lancelot addressed Arthur. "Is this how he answers your prayers?"
Star put a calming hand on Lancelot's shoulder and moved to see if there were any survivors. One of the monks spazzed as Lancelot hacked open a dead mans cell.
"How dare you set foot in this holy place?" He dragged Lancelot away from the cell. Devoid of all patience Lancelot stabbed the man. He fell to the floor dead.
"That was a man of God." Another monk admonished.
"Not my god!" Lancelot said.
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