Chapter 13
They finally made it to the Wall. Lyndsey never thought she would be this happy about seeing this place.
"I don't like him, that Roman. If he's here to discharge us, why doesn't he just give us our papers?" replied Galahad angrily.
"Is this your happy face?" replied Gawain. Bors just laughed. "Galahad, do you still not know the Romans? They won't scratch their asses without holding a ceremony."
"Why don't you just kill him, and discharge yourself after? Said Bors.
"I don't kill for pleasure, unlike some." Galahad said with a look towards Tristan.
"Excuse me?" said Lyndsey.
Tristan looked casually over to Galahad, "Well, you should try it someday. You might get a taste for it."
"It's a part of you. It's in your blood." Said Bors.
"No, no, no. No. As of tomorrow this was all just a bad memory." Said Galahad.
"Ohh." Said Bors not believing a word.
"I've often thought about what going home would mean after this. What will I do? It's different for Galahad. I've been in this life longer than the other. So much for home. It's not so clear in my memory." Said Gawain.
"You speak for yourself. It's cold back there and everyone I know is dead and buried. Besides, I have, I think, a dozen children." Said Bors.
"Eleven." Said Lyndsey riding up.
Lyndsey rode up to Tristan as Bors continued to give Gawain his future plans of the wall.
"What about you Lancelot? What are your plans for home?" asked Bors.
"Well, if this woman of Gawain's is as beautiful as he claims, I expect to be spending a lot of time at Gawain's house. His wife will welcome the company." He said.
"I see. And what will I be doing?' Gawain asked.
"Wondering at your good fortune that all your children look like me." Said Lancelot. Lyndsey punched him in the arm as Gawain stated, "Is that before or after I hit you with my axe?" Everyone started laughing as Lancelot rode up to Arthur.
Tristan whistled and Lyndsey looked up to see Mya flying towards them. She landed on Tristan's outstretched arm.
"Where you been, now? Where you been?" he asked sweetly to the hawk.
"You know, sometimes I wonder if you love that bird more than you love me." Said Lyndsey with a smirk.
"Never. Besides, she isn't as good in bed as you are." Teased Tristan. Lyndsey laughed and punched him in the arm.
They soon rode in to the wall where they were greeted by Jols. They dismounted and waited for the bishop to exit the carriage.
The bishop exited with a look of distaste very evident on his face.
"Bishop, please, my quarters have been made available to you." Said Arthur graciously.
"Oh, yes, I must rest." He replied.
Lyndsey scoffed. "Like riding in a carriage is so exhausting." She said mockingly. Tristan nudged her with a smile and they retired to their rooms to get some rest before the evening. As they left, Vanora smacked Bors.
"Bummer." Lyndsey replied. Tristan just laughed as they continued to go towards their rooms.
That evening they were all seated around the round table waiting for the bishop. Lyndsey sat next to Tristan while Leena sat on the table along side her. Lyndsey missed Leena. Once she arrived, Leena jumped into Lyndsey's arms. Lyndsey wasn't sure if she wanted Leena to come with them to dinner, but she wanted to see the look of shock on the Bishop's face, so she allowed her to come.
They all sit, drinking wine when the bishop finally decided to grace them with his presence. Horton walked in with a shocked expression.
"His Eminence, Bishop Naius Germanius." He said with disgust. The bishop walked in with a smile, but was quickly replaced with one of disdain. Everyone stood, except for Tristan. He refilled his glass first before standing.
"A round table? What sort of evil is this?" asked Horton with disgust written all over his words.
"Arthur says for men to be men they must first all be equal." Replied Jols nonchalantly.
"I was given to understand there would be more of you." Said the bishop.
"There were. We have been fighting here for 15 years, Bishop." Said Arthur.
Lyndsey just rolled her eyes. How dumb could he actually be?
"Oh, of course. Arthur and his knights have served with courage to maintain the honor of Rome's empire on this last outpost of our glory. Rome is most indebted to you noble knights. To your final days as servants to the empire."
"Day. Not Days." Corrected Lancelot. The bishop just waved him off and sat down. Lyndsey wasn't getting a good vibe from this man. He obviously was up to something. It was then that he finally noticed her and her cat.
"A woman at the round table. And an animal no less." He said with a hint of disgust.
"Well, she isn't the only animal here. I thought she would fit right in." she said with the animal hint projected right towards him. He looked at her with anger but replaced it when Arthur spoke. Tristan grabbed Lyndsey's hand from underneath the table to calm her down.
"She is as much of a knight as anyone of us." Replied Arthur.
"Of course, of course. The Pope's taken a personal interest in you. He inquires after each of you, and is curious to know if your knights have converted to the word of Our Savior or…?"
"They retain the religion of their forefathers. I have never questioned that." Said Arthur.
"Of course, of course. They are pagans. Hm?" Everyone looked at him with disgust. "For our part, the Church has deemed such beliefs innocence, but you Arthur, your path to God is through Pelagius? I saw his image in your room."
"He took my father's place for me. His teachings on free will and equality have been a great influence. I look forward to our reunion in Rome." He replied with a smile.
"Ah. Rome awaits your arrival with great anticipation. You are a hero. In, Rome, you will live out your days in honor and wealth."
Lyndsey looked to Lancelot and rolled her eyes.
"Alas…Alas, we are all but players in an ever-changing world. Barbarians from every corner are almost at Rome's door. Because of this, Rome and the Holy Father have decided to remove ourselves from indefensible outposts, such as Britain." As he said this, Horton placed a box in front of the bishop. The knights began to get antsy, even Lyndsey, for they knew what lye within that box.
"What will become of Britain is not our concern anymore. I suppose the Saxons will claim it soon."
"Saxons?" asked Arthur.
"Yes. In the north a massive Saxon incursion has begun."
"The Saxons only claim what they kill." Said Lancelot.
"And only kill everything." Replied Gawain.
"So you would just leave the land to the Woads. And I risked my life for nothing." Said Galahad.
"Hm. Gentlemen, your discharge papers with safe conduct throughout the Roman Empire. But first, I must have a word with your commander. In private."
"We have no secrets." Said Arthur.
"Hm." The bishop slammed the lid on the box closed.
"Come. Let's leave Roman business to Roman's." said Lancelot before taking a sip of his wine.
"Let it go Bors." Said Dagonet as he left.
Everyone began to leave when the bishop spoke. "My lady, you may stay if you wish."
"No, I don't like being in the presence of a foul animal." Lyndsey said with a sneer. She began to walk away with Leena on her heels, when she heard the bishop.
"Not as foul as that animal at your feet."
She spun around and threw a dagger that was hidden in her skirts. It landed right next to the bishop's ear. A centimeter closer and he'd be lost an ear. She walked over to retrieve her dagger and leaned close into the Bishop. Leena jumped on the table and sat right in front of the Bishop.
"I'd watch what I say Bishop. Not many appreciate your presence around here. Me included." Lyndsey turned and walked away. Leena hissed at the Bishop and the Bishop jumped back and almost fell from his chair. She then followed Lyndsey out of the room.
"Ugh! I hate that man. He is up to something and when I find out what it is he's up to I will surely," she didn't get to finish for Tristan spun her around and kissed her. He needed a way to shut her up and that seemed like a pretty good idea at the time.
"Relax, come, let us go to the tavern, for I am a free man and I feel like celebrating."
"I'm not feeling to well, I think i'm gonna go lye down." She said.
"Nonsense. Come my luv, we won't stay long, I promise you." Tristan replied with a smile that made Lyndsey want to melt right there and then.
"O alright, but only for a little while, then i'm going to bed." She said with a smile.
They made their way to the tavern not knowing what would soon become of them in just a few hours.
