Chapter 2
Awkward Arrivals
The fridge, brisk air of Britain flew into Marcus's face. His horse and the Centurions following were at a break neck speed. Marcus wanted to get to the Wall as quickly as possible to see his new home. His heart was racing as the Wall finally came into view. The whitewashed stone glistened in the moon's light; he could see torches lit along the upper platforms.
As excited as he was, he was just as nervous. He had never commanded an outpost like this before, how would the men react to him? Then he had heard legends ever since Rome about the man called Arthur and the Sarmatian Knights. How would this Arthur react to someone coming in and taking his position? These thoughts had been going through Marcus's head since Rome, and he still couldn't stop worrying.
"We've made it General." Commander Antonion announced as they crested the hill. "Two days early, but we're here."
"Is there a problem with being early, Commander?" Marcus chuckled as did Antonion.
"Not at all, more time to get drunk." Both men laughed. Antonion was there take control of a milecastle about twenty miles away, but was offered to spend a few days with Marcus. The young Commander would never say no to a superior officer, especially one he looked up to as much as Marcus.
"Well then, we best get there before the wretched Britons drink it all." With that Marcus urged the large chestnut stallion towards the fortress, with Antonion and the other men racing to catch up on their steeds.
The Knights had left the Round Table in a somber disposition. They didn't need a new commander for the next two years, Arthur had been doing fine. Just another stupid law of Rome, even odder were the rumors that Rome would soon be removing itself from Britain.
Vanora and the ten bastards waited anxiously for Bors. They walked out of the Hall as Vanora jumped on top of him. "It's about bloody time you got out! We've been waiting for you." Her adorable British accent amused all of the knights; she was like a sister to them all.
"Well I'm 'ere now!" Announced Bors.
"Drinks on the house tonight," shouted Vanora her eyes peering into her lover's. A loud cheer filled the courtyard as the knights shuffled into the well-known tavern.
The tavern was filled, as always. Tristan found his spot in the shadows with his mug of beer and apple in hand. Vanora plopped the newest bastard child in Bors's arms as she went to fill some more mugs. Dagonet stood nearby watching the rest of the tavern; he was much like Tristan in that respect. Lancelot saw a few Romans tossing dice and decided he wanted to win some money. And as always, Bedwyr, Gawain and Galahad were on their second mugs and were fooling around with a few knives.
"You better watch those knives. You might cut off something you'll need later." Cai laughed as he approached the drunken ones.
Yet as usual Arthur was watching from a distance, he enjoyed seeing his men happy, yet could not indulge himself. Especially with the news from Rome, he was nervous to say the least. He had already asked Jols to prepare the second floor of the barracks for the new Commander and his wife. The object which annoyed Arthur the most was that the message didn't even give a name of the new man. Or if he had the proper qualifications in order to retain such a posting. Eh, he thought, I suppose we'll learn soon enough.
He hadn't realized that soon had arrived. He could hear the gates opening at the other end of the complex, a sound to which he was accustomed. Arthur wasn't the only one who had heard it; Tristan had snuck up next to him. "He's here," whispered the scout. Arthur could only nod, he wasn't sure he was ready for this.
As for Tristan, his face didn't show how much he was laughing inside. The man from Rome wouldn't be able to last a month out here without all the privileges of Rome.
The other knights heard the gates opened and knew the Roman was here. They surrounded Arthur as the pounding of the hooves grew louder. The tavern soon emptied as the rest of the fortress were curious as to who would arrive this late in the evening, most Roman guests arrived early in the morning.
Bors turned to Vanora who stood next to him with curious eyes. "Take the kids inside." She nodded and rounded up the children towards their small home near the tavern.
"Not a bad idea." Bedwyr said half-slurred. "You wouldn't want your bastards to see you punch out a few Roman morons."
"Nah, Vanora would punch them out with me." The knights chuckled. Each could imagine Vanora taking her anger out on soldiers.
The pounding hooves could be heard rounding the last turn to the tavern. The horses were foaming at the mouth and breathing heavily when the riders finally pulled them to stop mere yards from the knights. The horses were clad in intricate leatherwear; their bridles were outlined in gold. Although they were sweating profusely they were gorgeous animals, the knights admired.
Arthur looked at the man dismounting the chestnut stallion leading the pack. He wore Roman chest armor, with two horses rearing and an olive tree in the center. A red cloak marked him as a general and a purple ring on his right hand signified as nobility in Rome. His wavy brown hair was matted down from the heavy metal helmet. His eyes searched the men in front of him.
Marcus glared at the men before him; they were unshaven, ragged soldiers. They all had wavy hair that was a mess. Did they understand the concept of personal hygiene? Who were these men? He walked toward the man that seemed to be the most Roman of them all. He had deep brown eyes and dark black hair. A sun darkened face peered back at Marcus.
"I am Arthur Castius, leader of the Sarmatian Knights and Commander of Hadrian's Wall." Arthur peered at the Roman, already disgusted by the man.
"I am Marcus Patrious, new Commander of Hadrian's Wall and of all Britain. It is a pleasure to meet you. Caesar speaks highly of your command; I am honored to fight beside you." Marcus tried to keep the conversation short yet he wanted to know more about this Arthur Castius. "And who are these men? The Sarmatian Knights?"
"Yes." Lancelot simply answered.
"And you are?" Marcus inquired, raising his eye brow.
"Lancelot." He replied angrily, wanting to get back to his gambling, but noticing the other players were intrigued by their new leader.
"I would have expected to see more than eight warriors. That's not very comforting to my safety." Marcus said with a smile on his face, partly joking but none of the knights shared his sense of humor.
"Well you're a General, I'm sure that you can hold your own in battle." Cai shot back.
"I can. Well I'm pleased I was able to meet to you all tonight. Let me buy you a drink Commander." Marcus asked Arthur.
"I don't drink General." Arthur wanted nothing more than to leave Marcus to his drinking.
"Of course you don't. Well I must speak with you, in private."
"We have no secrets between us."
"Just as well. You can tell your knights later, for now you and I shall talk."
"Might as well just say it here." Bedwyr said.
"Very well. Two of your knights must ride to Londinium and escort my wife. Leave in the morning, I don't care who." With that Marcus turned to Antonion and they walked to the bar.
The knights glared at Arthur, none wanting to take the charge that he was just given. They all wanted to hurt Marcus and he hadn't even been the fortress for more than ten minutes.
"You're not actually going to make us go are you Arthur?" Gawain asked.
"He's my commander, I must obey. But I'll go, you may enjoy the week drinking and gambling." The knights laughed, they adored Arthur. "I just need another volunteer."
"I'll go, be nice to get out of these walls for a while." Tristan said. Arthur nodded in appreciation.
"We'll leave in the morning, before dawn." Arthur left the knights to contemplate what they were going to do in the next week. Whether or not they would kill Marcus before Arthur returned.