Out of Darkness Comes the Light - Chapter 9
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone you may recognize. I don't even own the title. If you think I have ripped you off, sorry. This came purely from my own imagination, such as it is. I don't even claim that my story is any good...
Marianna - Thank You! We all live for praise! And the shirts off thing was due to me plodding through an Ioan site. Saw a very nice pic of him nekked! Now I see what all the fuss is about!
Sorceress Misha - I'm not sure what to do with Cass yet. Any ideas? I didn't like the triangle thing either. So, I'm gonna squelch it fast.
dmitchell - Yeah, that last fight was amazing. Especially when they're on that tower thing and still fighting with each other. Dunno what I'm doing with Galen yet. I miss him though.
blueskiezrustly - Oh, I have many more evil things up my sleeve to make them miserable. Don't know yet if I'll do them all. evil laugh
Cardeia - You know, after that amazing chapter, you make me want to skip all this mess and make things better. Gah!
Galen. sigh There are several spots where I could bring him in. Still some unanswered question regarding him though. Should I have him as still being conscripted? (He's got maybe a year left. Give or take.) Or should I have given him his papers when the Roman occupation of Britain was ended? And then have him come look for his brother. (Who, by the way knows that Teagan knows Galen.) Remember? Teagan met Galen, and that may be why she was attracted to Tristan. And as volatile as Tristan is, should I put him through that right now? Questions I don't know the answers to. Hence the reason I'm not posting as quick as I can.
And a big NO! On the Guin/Lancelot/Arthur thing. It was a mistake when I typed it. I didn't really think about it until it was posted and everyone started commenting on it. So, it's squelched.
And NO! Lancelot will not find comfort in Teagan. Because, deep down, he doesn't want either woman. He's lonely, but doesn't know where to put those feelings.
I'm not sure what to do with Cass. Or how I want her to go. She'll be the strong, silent type. She may be good for our boy Lancelot. Or maybe no one.
And, I love your reviews. They give me the umph to get it out there. You see things in my words that I may have missed. Like the healing that takes small steps. Now that I read it again, I see it's true. I just wish I had you reading over my shoulder nudging me...
Teagan felt good walking into the bar. Her middle and sides ached a little, but that was to be expected after the exercise she did this day. It had felt good to practice, get out the kinks in her body.
Lancelot had been right, she had been a good choice to teach the villagers how to use the bow. Most had never shot one before and were quite anxious to learn how. Her patience and skill had helped many grasp the basics.
Teagan had to smile. Several of the boys, and some girls, wanted to learn to be like the men. Like the 'brave knights' that had protected them for so long.
Even Lucan wanted to learn. He said he wanted to surprise Dagonet. And that one day, he was going to be a knight, just like him. Teagan remember the smile Dag had on his face after hearing that.
Lancelot, Galahad and Gawain also took turns teaching the children, making it a fun afternoon. For usually, where those three were, laughter was sure to follow. Teagan could understand when Arthur often says that he felt like he was babysitting huge children. They certainly did act like it sometimes.
But, it was their release. These hardend men needed an outlet while off the battlefield.
It didn't even bother her that it was now raining. Again. This time, it was a drenching rain. A reminder that Spring was on the way.
Dodging raindrops, Teagan ran towards the tavern, laughing.
It felt good to laugh again. It seemed as though it had been forever since she had. Teagan wanted to say that her heart was healing. But it wasn't. It wouldn't. She wouldn't let it.
Teagan wanted to go back. Go back to before she came to this fort. There were so many things that she wanted to do differently. But, she couldn't. She would have to accept what had happened, and move on.
And tonight was as good a place to start as any. Pushing the door open, she stepped inside.
Shutting the huge wooden door behind her, Teagan rested momentarily against it, catching her breath. Again, she took in the sights and smells of this communal place.
Looking around, her eyes went to the table of knights. And this is where she headed first.
"Teagan!" Gawain yelled, holding his arms wide. "So good of you to join us." The action of bringing his arms up caused him to sway slightly. He was already well into his cups.
Galahad grunted in reply, taking a drink from his own cup of wine.
Stepping behind Gawain, she leaned down, hugging the large man from behind, spitting when one of his long braids caught in her lips. Moving her face around, her lips soon met with his cheek, giving him a light kiss.
Gawain steered her around, guiding her to the bench beside him. "Come, sit."
Settling herself next to him she looked around, wondering why Lancelot wasn't here yet. It wasn't often that he missed a night with his friends.
"Where's Lancelot?" She said as she looked around the tavern, her eyes picking out the familiar sights. And noticing who wasn't there.
Gawain shrugged his shoulders. "Dunno, love."
Galahad set his cup down. "Said he somethin' to do. Probably with Sage." He muttered, mostly to himself.
Teagan's eyes swung back to him. "What do you mean? Sage?" There was warning in her voice. This, she did not need.
Gawain put his arm around her, pulling her closer. "Don't worry about Lancelot. He doing something for Arthur. And the pup here pissed off Sage."
Teagan kicked Galahad under the table. "Well? What did you do?"
"Ow!" The younger knight yelped. "That hurt." His shoulders fell. "I don't know what I did."
Just then, Dagaonet's large form was seen flying past the table. The man was obviously in a hurry.
"Wonder what fire is up his arse?" Gawain wondered.
Teagan rose from the table, her hand lightly grasping Gawain's arm. "I'll find out."
0o0o0o
Dagonet rushed to the bar where Bors was sitting on the high stool. He leaned against the bar, catching his breath. "Where's Arianna?" His eyes looking for the woman. He knew he had seen her, he just couldn't find her.
Bors shrugged his shoulders, taking a pull of his ale. "Dunno, Dag. Ain't seen her yet." His eyes automatically scanning the crowd of people.
Neither man had noticed that Teagan had made it to them, so Dagonet nearly jumped out of his skin when Teagan put her hand lightly on his arm.
"Sorry Dag. I didn't mean to startle you. Who's Arianna?"
Bors quickly answered before his friend. "Ahhh. No one important, Red. No one important."
Teagan shrugged it off, thinking that it was another woman after one of the knights. It was none of her business and she really didn't care. She wanted to get through this night.
Disappearing behind the bar, into the back room that was also a large kitchen, Teagan busied herself getting ready for her night.
Both Dagonet and Bors watched her go, grateful that she didn't press the issue.
Bors clapped his friend on the back. "Got lucky we did."
Dag just nodded. But the trouble was far from over. Turning around, he faced the openness of the tavern, watching everybody and everything.
0o0o0o
Teagan was tired. Having been running like a mad woman for hours straight, her feet hurt. She still hadn't seen any sign of Lancelot. Or Tristan.
Her eyes wandered over to the knight's table. His spot still sat empty. Suddenly, she felt an ache in her chest. She missed him. Missed his silent presence here.
Shaking her head to clear it, she headed to a table in the back of the room, Teagan held her full pitcher of ale high. The moment she wasn't paying attention around her, she ran into the nearest wall.
Teagan collided into the very solid chest of Tristan, knocking the pitcher out of her hand.
She was momentarily at a loss for words, seeing him this close to her, her eyes unable to tear away from his face. Her heart gave a lurch. It was uncanny, she had just been thinking about him. They had not said more than ten words to each other since he had confronted her about her 'time away.'
"I'm sorry." She said as she knelt to pick up the pieces of the shattered clay pitcher.
Tristan, kneeling down to help her, nearly lost his balance and leaned heavily onto her. Grabbing her arms for support, he brought his face close to her neck, his breath rolling down her spine.Again her body protested what her mind was telling her. She felt that pull toward him.
"Please." He murmured, slurring his speech. His hands winding into her hair.
'NO!' Her mind screamed. "You're drunk, Tristan." Teagan pushed him away as gently as she could. As calmly as she could.
Standing, she offered her hand to help him up.
Swatting her hand away, Tristan stood up, unsteadily. "I'm fine."
He wasn't, but Teagan didn't want to argue.
Teagan brought herself closer to him. So close that she could still smell the sweat, leather and horse on his clothes, his skin. Her belly warmed, she loved these smells on this man. Gods, she missed these smells on this man.
Again she was drawn to his face. He wasn't doing much to hide him emotions this time. He was to drunk. She could see the weariness in his face. The anger in his eyes. It was all she could do to not touch his face.
Not being able to bear to look at him, Teagan turned away, forcing down her own rising emotions.
She heard him give an angry sound as he made his way from her.
Raising her head, Teagan headed back to the bar for a fill up on her pitcher. Or rather, to tell Vanora that she was through for the night. After seeing the man she most wanted to see here, she realized she wasn't ready to.
Right now, she wanted to be alone. Hiding.
She felt the tug on the hem of her dress the same time she heard the thump of something hitting wood.
Looking down, Teagan saw a small dagger sticking out of the bottom of her dress, pinning the material close to her shoe.
Glancing up to see where the dagger had come from, she saw Gawain hooting in laughter and Galahad looking a little guilty.
Bending down, she pulled the blade from her dress. From the look on Galahad's face, she guessed that it might be his.
"Is this yours?" She held it out to him.
Galahad nodded, reaching for it, only to have Teagan snatch her hand back. An small grin playing on her lips. She pointed the blade to the target. "You missed."
"Please, Teagan. Give it back." His eyes pleading. He really didn't want her mad at him. "I'm sorry."
"Don't give it back, love." Gawain slurred his own words.
Ignoring Gawain, Teagan wagged the dagger in front of her, moving to Galahad.
"I should just give this back to you." She dropped her arm. "But, I'm not. You're drunk, Galahad. It's late. Go home."
Giving him a kiss on the cheek, she pushed him towards the exit. "Gawain. Will you take him home?"
The blonde knight nodded, heaving himself up from the bench. Teagan watched him stagger himself. 'They've both had enough this night.' She thought.
Gawain gathered a protesting Galahad. "Come on, pup. It's time for bed."
"But, I want my knife back." He whined.
Gawain cuffed him on the head. "Little boys don't need to be playing with sharp objects."
Teagan watched as Gawain half pulled, half supported his best friend out of the door. Giving a small smile, she again turned, headed back to the bar.
"Shit! Go get her. Now!" Bors' deep voice came out of nowhere.
But it was to late. Teagan already saw what the men were so intent she didn't see. And she stood there, transfixed by what she saw.
Tristan was close to the exit. But he wasn't alone. A very well rounded woman hanging on him. Her hands were under his shirt, his hands buried in her hair. The woman, Teagan noticed, had hair just like hers.
Looking at Teagan, Tristan bent his face into the neck of the woman. His eyes never leaving hers, guiding her out of the door.
Teagan stood staring after the door for only a few moments after Tristan left, her anger boiling.
Deciding that she needed air, Teagan started to make her way to the back, where the bar was. She wanted to let Vanora know that she needed to leave. Now.
Shefelt rough hands pulling her into the lap of a very large Roman-looking man.
"Let me up." Teagan ground out between clenched teeth. He smelled rotten. Like foul meat and stale ale. It made her stomach sick.
"No. Seems your scout doesn't want you anymore. Leaves you for the rest of us." The man said in broken Latin. From his accent, Teagan couldn't tell where he was from. But right now, she didn't care, she wanted away from this man.
Teagan said nothing, continuing to struggle.
The large man brought his face close to her ears. "You smell so nice." Holding her still with one hand, he brought his other up her waist, towards her chest.
Holding herself still, Teagan let her anger boil. "I said, let me go."
"Come on Livius. One of her guards is probably nearby." Warned one of his table mates.
"No. She feels so nice." Livius whispered in her ear, his hot breath making her stomach roll even more. His breath smelled like death. His hands were going higher, nearly reaching her breast. "They're not here to protect you now."
Teagan reacted. Bunching herself into as tight a ball as she could, she slammed the heel of her foot into the toes of the man.
AsLivius gave a yelp of pain, Teagan broke herself free of his grasp. Swinging her body around, she punched the man in the nose as hard as she could.
Backing away, she stood there, panting. She watched as the foul man brought his hand away from his nose, clots of blood and snot trailing. Sheflexed her fistas it smarted from hitting the man in the nose.
Livius rose, bringing his great bulk forward. "You bitch! You broke my nose."
Teagan stood her ground, her hands on her hips. "I told you to let me go." She said as sweetly as she could. It had felt good to hit that man. She noticed movement behind him.
So did his friend. "Livius. You better leave her be."
Livius ignored his friend. "No. I want her." He moved closer.
Teagan smiled. Bors and Dagonet were standing behind Livius. Though she hated to have them be her bodyguards, she secretly loved having them nearby. It made her feel less...alone.
"Is there a problem, Red?" Bors let his deep voice roll over the man in front of him.
Livius stopped dead in his tracks, a worried look on his face.
Teagan shook her head, still smiling. "No, Bors. This kind man was just calling it a night. Weren't you...Livius? Is it?"
"Yeah, Yeah. I'm leavin'." He grumbled as he pushed angrily past Teagan, heading out of the door. Still wiping blood from his face.
Giving Bors and Dagonet a weak smile, she made her way to the back of the bar, looking for escape. She was glad that they didn't follow her.
0o0o0o
Teagan pushed her way out the back of the tavern, into the chill of the night. Bracing herself against the wall, she let her stomach empty of it's contents.
Retching done, she let herself sink to the ground, her legs unable to hold her weight. Drawing her knees up close to her body, she bent her forehead to her knees, letting out a sigh. Shortly, her body started heaving, the sobs racking her.
Slowly, her body calmed down and she sat with her face to the rain. Her clothes soaking.
This night had gone nothing like she had planned.
Cardeia: I'm thinking part of this sounds like your Octus. I didn't mean for it to happen. As I had originally had this chapter done weeks ago, I wanted to change it after reading yours. I hope I did it enough. And little by little, Tristan is going.
A/N: I sat for four days staring at this thing and nothing was forthcoming. And what did, blech. Writer's block stinks.