Chapter 12
Roman Sorrow
Lucilla and Tristan sat at the near empty tavern. It was early afternoon with most Centurions on duty or sleeping off the antics of the previous night. Arthur and Marcus were butting heads again over the Irish invasion in the North. Marcus argued that Rome needed to settle the problem while Arthur argued that north of the Wall was out of his control.
The other knights were up and about doing their separate things. Bors and Dagonet were teaching Gilly, Hector and Achilles the finer art of the sword with Cai and Bedwyr trying to explain the intricacies of the bow to Paris, who was much happier with his book. Gawain and Galahad were off in the lower woodlands hunting some game with Lancelot dutifully waiting, half asleep, for Arthur.
The knight and Lady sat at the bench near the bar, making sure they weren't hiding in the shadows. Lucilla understood that her actions were already adulterous, the last thing she wanted was rumors flying all over the Wall. But she was nervous that Marcus would kill Tristan, each day she hoped that Marcus didn't know the scout was holding her affection.
Sitting at the table the two spoke of simpler things: "Sarmatia, what do you remember of it?" Lucilla wondered.
"Areas of grass, no," laughed Tristan, "oceans of grass. I could ride all day and not find a single living soul."
"Is that why you are so isolated now?" Wondered Lucilla.
"I just feel more confident when I'm alone."
"Perhaps I should leave you alone," Lucilla said.
"Then I won't be happy," admitted the knight.
"Lady Patrious?" A Roman guard appeared next to the Senator's daughter.
"Yes?" Lucilla responded. The messenger handed her a scroll with green ribbon wrapping it. "This can't be pleasant news."
Lucilla delicately untied the ribbon and unrolled the parchment. Tristan smiled, adoring how delicate her touch was. Reading the letter Lucilla's face went from shock to sorrow. Tristan could see the tears beginning to well.
"Lucilla… what is it?"
"My father… Tristan he's dying. The physicians say its sickness of the lungs. If I leave now I might be able to see him before he passes." The tears had begun to flow down her face.
Gaius, who had momentarily walked into the tavern with Murig on his heels, approached the knight and Lucilla. "Lady Lucilla, what affects you so?"
"I need to see Marcus, right now." She said, her eyes never leaving the parchment.
"My Lady, he's in with Arthur –"
"Now!" Lucilla demanded.
The four quickly walked through the tavern toward the tall of the Round Table. Through the thick oak door doors they were able to hear the arguing shouts of Arthur and Marcus.
A bit nervous Murig pounded on the solid door and took the smallest step inside the threshold.
"What!" Marcus shouted at the boy.
"The Lady Patrious needs a word." He said trying to hold back his fear.
"Not now!" Marcus told the boy.
"She claims it's urgent."
Marcus burst through the door shoving Murig out of the way. Arthur stood a few feet behind Marcus with Tristan and Gaius on Lucilla's right and left respectively. Lancelot took a stand next to Arthur.
"What?" He angrily asked, hatred dripping on the word.
Lucilla said nothing only handed him the letter. He read it quickly and looked back into her eyes.
"You want to go to Rome?"
"Wouldn't you?" Lucilla answered simply.
"Lucilla, I don't care what you do anymore. If you fell off a cliff I wouldn't care right now. Take two knights and get out of Britain." She hastily turned and left the others.
Arthur, Tristan and Lancelot were all angered by Marcus's words but there was nothing they could do. "Arthur two of your men will accompany Lucilla. Murig, Gaius in here with me." Marcus ordered.
Arthur left the room and began to walk to the training field where he knew he would find the others. "What did the letter say?" Lancelot inquired of Tristan as they passed the stables. Gawain and Galahad had just returned and were cleaning the horses.
"Her father's fallen ill," Tristan replied. Arthur nodded and other knights met in the large training field.
"Arthur!" Cai shouted. "Has the bloody Roman finally heeded your words?"
"Not yet," Arthur returned giving his friend a smile.
"What news?" Dagonet asked.
"By the look on your face it can't be good." Gawain allowed.
"Lady Patrious will be returning to Rome for a short while. Two of you need to escort her, orders of General Patrious." Arthur solemnly told them.
"Well let the Romans take care of their own. Let the Centurions escort her." Bors said, smiling at the last part.
"Marcus actually work? I would think that's impossible." Galahad chuckled.
"Will we be escorting her to Londinium or all the way to Rome?" Bedwyr wondered aloud, a thought many were having.
"Those who escort her will be the first Sarmatians from Britain in centuries to see the gleaming city of Rome." Arthur answered.
"You should go," Galahad allowed. "You want to see Rome more than any of us."
"Arthur needs to stay here, to make sure Marcus doesn't let the Wall fall." Cai rationalized. "I'll go."
Arthur nodded in appreciation. "So will I," it was the first thing Tristan had been thinking since he was the despair in Lucilla's face.
"No." Arthur commanded. Tristan glared at his commander, "I need you here. No one tracks Woads as well as you. If Marcus continues to act the way he is now we'll need that trait."
"I'll take his place," Bedwyr volunteered.
"So Cai and Bedwyr will go; I know not how long you will be in Rome, go back accordingly." As Cai and Bedwyr left the group so did Tristan but, for different reasons.
Reaching Lucilla's room he stealthily crept into the room. He watched from a few minutes the Roman who had taken his heart. The one thing he was sure no one could take. Everything she did emitted the beautiful grace she possessed; even the throwing of cloths in the chest. He wasn't sure how much longer he was going to watch until Lucilla sat on the bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Not being able to see her in such pain he left the shadows.
The creaking of the wood floor gave him away. "Why do you do that?" Lucilla allowed a smile.
"So I get that smile." He sat down on the bed next to her, pulling a piece of her lovely brunette hair behind her ear.
"He can't die Tristan… he just can't." Lucilla fell into his arms as he stroked her head. His arms was her favorite place to be, in his arms she always felt safe as if no one in the world could harm her.
Perhaps it was better for him. Leaving his home and never knowing what happens to those you love. One knows they die, but by the time he would return there would be no reason to grieve.
"I can't bear to see you cry… what can I do?" Tristan pleaded as he wiped away a few of her tears.
"Just this," Lucilla answered.
They must have stayed like this for a long while. A knock at the door shook them awake. Looking outside they could see that dusk had already approached. Tristan crept into the shadows, as Lucilla opened the door.
Muring was standing there, "Are you ready my Lady? You said you wanted to leave as soon as possible."
"Yes I am. Those few chests over there is what I'll be taking." Murig came in and began to lift one. Tristan gave Lucilla a quick kiss on the cheek before he vanished into the shadows.
Within a few hours the three chests Lucilla had carelessly packed had been loaded onto a wagon. There were to be two Centurions that would take Lucilla to Londinium and two others would meet Lucilla, Bedwyr and Cai in Calais, Gaul.
Marcus stood by Lucilla, "Give your father my best." He told her. Lucilla couldn't decide if he was being sincere or not; she merely nodded.
He walked away towards the hall, Gaius followed his General. Tristan looked Lucilla in the eyes, that deep glare she could feel to the bones… to the heart. He said goodbye without opening his mouth, she did the same.
They started out late, but were told to go at the fastest pace possible. Her father's condition would not wait for Lucilla to reach Rome. The small caravan traveled well into the night stopping for a few hours to rest, the next day would be long.
Readying themselves the next morning Bedwyr approached Lucilla who was stroking the muzzle of one of the pack horses.
"I thought you could use some reading material; seeing as how we've got a long journey to make." Bedwyr nervously said, he handed Lucilla a fairly new bound book.
"'The Chronicles of Marc Anthony,'" Lucilla read aloud smiling, a bit shocked.
"It's the only Roman I knew by name, borrowed it off of one of our Centurion friends at the Wall." Bedwyr admitted.
"Stole it is more what he did," Cai joked. Bedwyr gave him a hard punch on the arm for the joke.
"Thank you, but perhaps you should read it. Seeing as how Marc Anthony's adventures are already known to me," Lucilla said with the Roman propriety she was raised to show.
"It won't do me much good, can't read while I'm riding." He smiled.
"Can't ready while your standing either." Cai laughed again, receiving another smack from Bedwyr. Lucilla couldn't help but laugh.
"How about I read it, then you and we'll discuss it later?" Lucilla suggested still chuckling over Cai's antics.
"Sounds good," Bedwyr agreed.
They had been traveling for the better part of the day with the same craggy, green landscape echoing all over when they came to a rather large forest. Lucilla put the book down. The horses seemed a bit spooked at the overgrown trees and dark shadows. The small caravan slowed down a bit and passed by with watchful eyes. Lucilla couldn't help but feel there were others watching her. The feeling sent a shiver down her spine.
Suddenly the sound of the shrieking horses echoed through the forest. "Stay with the carriage!" Lucilla could hear Cai demand of the others.
Peeking out a covered window Lucilla saw Cai ride off towards the woods with Bedwyr and the Centurions staying near the coach. From the thick mist that had settled on the ground, she could see blue ghosts running out. "Woads!"
They came from the woods in numbers far too many to count. Not only were their hair and bodies painted blue but their weapons were as well.
The Roman soldiers fought bravely but the Woad arrows were deadly accurate –literally. Bedwyr had yelled for Lucilla to stay in the coach, but she wanted to help. Her mind was made up when the smell of smoke filled Lucilla's nose. Realizing the carriage was a blaze she jumped out. Immediately being handled by two Woads an arrow of Cai's killed one quickly. The other tripped Lucilla, on the ground she picked up a dagger one of the Centurions dropped, stabbing the Woad in the neck with it. Blood sprayed everywhere. Lucilla understood why the knights always returned to the Wall bloodied.
Next to the dead Woad was his long bow and quiver, picking it up Lucilla began to fire. Those childhood games were beginning to pay off, she thought as she loosed another arrow. Bedwyr was soon fighting next to her.
He was shocked to see Lucilla firing a bow and with such grace you would have thought her a soldier with her accuracy. He took Woad after Woad down with the large Sarmatian blade, but it didn't seem to matter they just kept coming. He was thrown back off his mount as an arrow pierced through his shoulder. The injury didn't stop Bedwyr, getting to this feet he threw the sword into his other hand and kept going. The Woads continued to fall at his feet.
Cai was deep in the forest taking Woads out with both sword and dagger, but an arrow pierced his horse. Cai was thrown to the ground and all went black.
Looking into the forest Bedwyr could see Cai get thrown to the ground but not being able to see if he was alive or not made a wave of fear flow through him. The idea that frightened him more was that thought Cai or Lucilla would be taken captive. He fought harder taking two more arrows before falling to the ground. Lucilla tried to find the Woad in the woods but instead knelt beside a dying knight.
"I never told you this," he began to whisper as tears streamed down her face, "but you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I wish we had met in better days, when your was… was free." Bedwyr's eyes closed.
"Stay with me." Lucilla demanded. The knight opened his eyes one more only to see a group of Woads begin to drag Lucilla away.
They had come up behind her and snatched Lucilla's arms. Kicking and screaming she held on tightly to Bedwyr's dying hand. "No!" She screamed into the mist filled glen.
But the Woads did not heed her words; they dragged her off into the forest. Taking the horses, burning the wagon and carriage they left the dead or dying on the red stained grass.