Chapter 13
It was a nice morning for a ride, the sun was still behind the clouds, and the morning dew still lay on the ground. We rode for silence for awhile, until I could stand it no more.
"Why are you following me?" I asked. "As I told Jols I am more than capable of taking care of myself."
"No you are not, and besides I am just fulfilling my vow to keep all my Roman friends away from you." He said looking over at me.
"Well you are released from your vow, now please leave me alone."I saidnot wanting him to think he was indebted to me.
"Sorry Taryn you are stuck with me, Jols is right; you should not be out here by yourself."
"Fine, but you will have to keep up with me." I said with a grin while spurring Black forward. It took only a few strides before he was in a dead run. He was ready for a good run as was I. I felt so free, after being caged in at the fort for the last few weeks. It almost reminded me of home. I looked over my shoulder to find the Roman surprisingly close to us; his horse must be faster than he looked. I slowed Black into a gallop and let him catch up with me.
"You are going to break your neck." He scolded me as he caught up with me.
"I have been riding a horse since I was three, and have not fallen off since almost then." I said proudly.
"Well I seem to remember hearing a different story just a few weeks ago." He said.
"That does not count, I was knocked off of my horse, and that incident is none of your business Roman." I said giving him a dirty look, because I had indeed forgot all about the tree branch incident for a moment. "And since when am I the talk of the fort?" I asked.
"News travels fast here." He said.
"Well since you seem to know so much about me, why don't you tell me about yourself. I believe this is the first time I have ever talked to a Roman besides Arthur, and he is only half." I said while dismounting Black and walking beside him.
He dismounted also, and walked beside me through the still wet grass.
"I hate to disappoint you, but I am also only half Roman also." He said.
"Really, and what is your other half, stalker?" I asked sarcastically.
"I am like Arthur half Roman half Briton. My father was a Roman soldier stationed here, and he married my mother a Briton." He said. "And I am not stalking you."
"So where are your parents now?" I said ignoring his last statement.
"They live in Rome, after my fathers service was over my mother and he went back to Rome where they live today." He said proudly.
"She turned her back on her country for a Roman?" I could barely believe my ears, how could someone fall in love with the very people who had practically enslaved there country.
"I don't know why I am even telling you this. You have your mind made up about all Romans all ready, and I do not have to take this from you." He said turning to mount his horse again.
Here he was trying to be kind to me, and all I was doing was insulting him. Will I ever learn to control this tongue of mine? "Phillip I am sorry, I should keep some of my comments to myself." I tried to apologize.
"Taryn I cannot help what race of people I am born to anymore than you can. I don't agree with all of Rome's ideas, but I am proud to be a descendent from such a great nation. I do not know why my mother married my father, who knows maybe she loved him." He said the sarcasm in his voice now.
"Why are you here than if Rome is so great?" I asked.
"I choose to go into the army because my father was a general and it was expected of me. I chose Britain as a post, because I thought it would be a good way to bridge my two heritages. I would fight for Rome, but protect Britain and try to serve the people here."
"I would have never guessed you to be so noble." I mumbled.
"I am not noble; if I was I would have never treated you as I did Taryn." He said sadly.
"Phillip I forgive you for that, and besides you said you had gotten bad news from Rome, what was it?"
"Nosey aren't we?" He said with a slight smile.
"You just figured that out?" I laughed.
"That story is for another day. We need to head back before Jols send out a search party." He said.
"Race you back." I yelled as I quickly jumped on to Blacks back.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I was out of breath when we arrived back at the stables. Jols was waiting for me. Phillip quickly made himself scarce.
"Did you enjoy yourself Taryn?" He asked.
"Yes I did Jols and here I am safe and sound."
"And what do you plan on doing the rest of the day Taryn?" He asked.
"Jols please my father told me to go to you if I needed anything, but he never said anything about you babysitting me. When he is here, I do not tell him what I am doing every second of the day, and I don't intend on telling you either. But since I know you are only trying to look out for me, I plan on spending the next few hours working on my sword play. Would you care to join me?" I said looking at him like a mother scolding a little child.
"You do beat all Taryn." He said with a sigh, "I do have a little time though."
We made are way to the practice arena, and choose our weapons. Jols was not the most skilled fighter, but he was smart. He had been watching and sometimes working with the knights for many years. He was almost a better instructor than Tristan. We trained hard for several hours until, Jols other duties called him away. I went and took a seat on one of the benches around the arena floor, trying to get enough energy to decide to walk back to my room.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
That evening I went begrudgingly to my job at the tavern. I couldn't wait until this is over. Lucky for me Vanora was working tonight, so I felt as if I had one friend there. The night was actually very boring. We did not have many customers, and the few Romans who came seemed to be only interested in gambling, and did not order much to drink. They were much quieter when they did not drink. I kept a look out for Phillip, but he did not show up. Strange for him to say he was trying to protect me this morning, and not even show up tonight. I left the tavern that night with a weird slightly disappointed feeling.
The next morning I was up early. I thought about going over to Vanora's and then changed my mind, and decided I wanted to go riding instead. There were only stable boys up so far, no Jols in sight. I had Black saddled in no time, and was soon out making my way toward the open fields, outside of the fort. When we reached the fields, I saw we were not the only horse and rider out this morning, and I had a feeling the other rider was waiting for me.
"Hello stalker." I greeted him.
"Hello Taryn, ready for your morning ride?" He asked.
"You are worse than Jols." I said turning Black in the opposite direction.
"I thought you would enjoy my company this morning since we had such enlightening conversations yesterday." He said with a smile.
"Where were you at last night?" I demanded.
"And to think you are accusing me of stalking." He laughed. "I was on guard duty if you must know nosey."
"Come on lets race."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Phillip and I spent most of the week together. He was a good distraction for missing my father and my other friends. I think he was trying to make up for being so rude the first night to me. He really wasn't so bad for a Roman. He also helped me on my fighting techniques when Jols was busy. Which I must say I was getting better at. I hoped Tristan would notice when he was back. I was hoping he would be back tomorrow.
"Taryn, I have something I want you to try." Phillip was saying as we were sparring one day.
"And what is that?" I asked curiously.
"A different type of weapon" He said. "Everyone must find the weapon or several weapons that work best for them. You do well with that sword, but I have an idea, with your small size and speed, I think if you ever do enter hand to hand combat you would need something else. Wait right here."
He left the arena and went to where the weapons are kept. He returned with two odd looking swords. They were shorter than most and at the hilt they had two long blades sticking out of them.
"What in the world are those?" I asked.
"They are called short swords, or tridents. I won them in a round of gambling, but have never used them." He said handing them to me to examine.
"What do you do with them?" I asked.
"Kill" He laughed. "What do you think you do with them?"
"I know that I am not stupid." I said with an offended voice. "I meant how do you use them?"
"These are used almost more as a defensive weapon. You should carry your long sword always, but these also, if you can learn to use them. I have watched you move Taryn, you are quick and have good hand eye coordination. To use these you must be quick and able to get close to your enemy but then move away quickly. One trident can be used to block or entangle the enemy's weapon, while using the other one in an offensive method." He explained.
"Is this how Lancelot fights with his two swords? I asked.
"No, I have seen Lancelot take on two even three men at one time with his swords, and kill them all easily. You can only fight one at a time with these, and I wouldn't suggest you take on Lancelot." He said with a chuckle. "Now let's practice."
It took me most of the afternoon to even be able to grip the things without dropping them. They were heavier than they seemed, but I soon got the hang of it. It was getting close to time for me to be back at my job, so we called it quits for the day. "Here" I said handing the swords to him.
"No you keep them; you may get the urge to practice at odd hours." He said.
'Okay, but I doubt it." I said with a shake of my head, my hands and wrists were killing me already.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The nest day I watched and waited for the Knights to come back, but there was no sign of them yet. I found myself practicing with the tridents to pass the time. I could soon spin them in my hand, like Phillip had shown me to do.
It was nightfall, and there was still no sign of them. I went in search of Vanora to see if she had heard anything.
"Vanora, where could they be? Arthur said they would only be gone a week." I said the worry evident in my voice.
"Taryn dear, just because Arthur says a week does not mean anything, that is what he hopes. Sometimes it is two, depending on how far they went, and what they had to encounter when they got there." She said, but I could tell she was worried also.
"What if they were all killed, how would we know?" I said almost in tears.
"What happened to little miss positive?" She said with a slight smile.
"I can't be positive, all I know is I want them back, my father, Galahad, Gawain, Dagonet, Bors, and yes even Lancelot." I said now whining.
"Well what about your new found friend, what will our brave knights think of him?" She asked.
"I don't care; Phillip is my friend nothing more." I said firmly.
"We will see." She said shaking her head.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Another five days had passed and there was still no sign of them. My worry had now turned into panic. I sought Jols out in my near hysteric state.
"Jols we have to do something." I demanded. "Surely you know what direction they were headed, we must go looking for them."
"Taryn they will return, we have never before sent out a search party for the knights, and we will not start now, they will return." He said trying to reassure me.
"Jols that is just not good enough." I said and then stormed off.
Not knowing what exactly to do was driving me crazy, I had to do something. I went to the stables to find my horse.
"What are you doing?" I heard Phillip ask as I was putting Black's saddle on.
I turned to look him straight in the eye, so he would know just how serious I was. "I am going to find my father, and you are going with me."
–
Authors note: Sorry it took so long. Bad week, sick kids, work, lockin with 30 kids, family in town, not to mention buying easter basket goodies. Work the next 3 nights so chapter 14 could be awhile in coming, unless I get inspired before I leave for work tomorrow. Thanks for all the reviews keep them coming.
Knights maiden: I am glad you liked it, I hope I wont disappoint you!
Aruviel: Thanks
Cameryn: Yes you gave me a new twist to my story. I owe you. I will split any money made by this story with you! Lol. So far your check will read 00000000
Irishfire: Thank you so much for all your reviews they are always great to get. I too like to be kept guessing in a story, so I am trying to make this not to predictable, but I am sure it will soon be.
Camlann: Glad you like Phillip, I am trying to do a good job with his character, I was not sure at first if I should try making up to many original characters, since I doubt I can develop them as well as the movie. His news from Rome will come out later, not a big part of the story though.
Tracy 137: She has no love interest yet. They are all just friends so far, lol. You are right, though I was not fickle at 16.
Lucilla: Yes it does seem like he is spying when I re read it, but he is not. Thanks for reading!
Katemary77: Yes Orlando Bloom would make a good Phillip, but that is not quite how I had pictured him, but that is the joy of reading, we get to use our wonderful imagination. (Orlando Bloom is not may favorite actor, unless he has elf ears, and long white hair lol) I saw the movie Ella Enchanted the other day, and thought Anne Hathaway would maybe make a good Taryn, I don't know maybe to girly, do you have any ideas for a Taryn?