Disclaimer: I do not own King Arthur or his Knights…sadly…though one offered me his soul...
Author Note: Ok! Here is my longer chapter for all you lovely readers! I didn't get a lot of reviews for the last chapter but that's ok…I will hope and threaten
A knock at the door disturbed R'han from her sleep, though the dream was one she hated; she silently confessed that any dream would be better than to look upon the Sarmatian Knights and their commander Arthur.
The knocking continued as if waiting for a response, stubbornly R'han gave none. "Listen lass, I'll be coming in here whether you like it or not so tell me, should I have a weapon ready or will you be so kind as to speak."
The voice was feminine but strong with a twang that demanded attention. Tenaciously R'han spoke, "Enter."
There was the distinct sound of a key in a lock and wood scraping wood as the quiet voice of excited and curious children alerted R'han to who spoke to her. Bors lover.
As the door swung open R'han was greeted by a women with a full head of hair much alike to her own, and the faces of two small children clinging to their mothers skirts. R'han held back a smile, if she was anywhere else she would admit to finding it quite…sweet.
"My name is Varona and this here," she said pointing to the one on her left, a girl with long brown hair and amber eyes, "is seven and this is six."
The boy to her right, who though older seemed more fearful, cringed when R'han's eyes fell on him, the girl who showed a more curious personality stepped forward a bit, her face glowing with questions.
"Is it true that you fought Tristan?" she asked.
R'han merely nodded, her hair falling into her face and covering her left eye. She would not hide, what she fought for went beyond who she killed and didn't kill.
The boy spoke up, "Do you hate us?"
Caught of guard R'han looked to Varona who had silenced her children with a shooing sound and push towards the door. "Go bother yah father."
The children quickly left leaving R'han questioning their presence in the first place. The door though open was guarded by Arthur himself who had stood away trying to give the women a false sense of privacy. R'han could feel her skin tingle with distrust, the entire fort was practically buzzing with it.
"I'm to bring ya to the baths, by Arthur's orders. No funny business now I've got no patience for any childish behavior, I deal with it enough from my bastards, you understand?"
R'han simply nodded the idea of a bath appealing to her dirty unwashed body greatly. She knew when to fight and when to bite her tongue, the chance of losing a bath was not something even she would mess up. Following the now chattering Varona as she walked through the door she noticed two Knights flank her. Arthur in back while the others armed, stood as close and as far away as possible.
The fort was warm and almost homelike in its construction. Rome's emblems had been removed and new crests were being put up. Arthur's reign was beginning and his British people where in a state of great anticipation. The group approached the baths, Varona continuing on with R'han and the two knights.
Stopping quickly R'han turned to the Knight at her left, "Is it typical of Arthur's men to watch enemies bathe or are you just making an exception?"
The blond Knight merely shoved her forward with his right hand, "Clean yourself Saxon your stink makes me sick."
R'han smiled wickedly, this young one was short of temper and she found it amusing to set him off.
R'han sank into the water a small sigh escaping her, the warm water worked at her muscles and cleaned away the grim that had smeared her face, hair, and body. Spotting a chunk of soap to her left she reached forward lifting herself out of the water only an inch, but far enough to hear the young Knights breath tighten.
Gritting her teeth she sank deeper into the water rubbing the soap against her skin turning it a sensitive pink and unwrapping her hair from its long braid, as she dunked her head under preparing to scrub the sweat, blood, and dirt that had caked to her scalp. As she surfaced R'han felt a difference in the room an almost deadly silence that made her suppress a cold shiver.
"Arthur wishes to speak with you, make haste with your bath."
Reaching back she began the tedious task of soaping and rinsing her hair. Taking no more than five minutes she was surprised to feel someone approach her back, the footsteps though loud, were soft. Varona.
"Give me your hair. I'll brush it out so you can braid it."
R'han paused before leaning back, her shoulders stiff with unease, though to her displeasure she found herself relaxing as the brush ran through her hair. She had a strange weakness when she came to her hair.
Once again R'han found herself in the chamber of the round table, surrounded by Knights and servants with nosey attitudes. R'han shifted her weight; the tight dress she wore was itchy and served only to frustrate her. Though she was grateful for the clean clothes she would forever prefer breeches and a tunic to a barmaids dress.
"You seem uncomfortable, is the dress not to your liking?"
R'han looked to Arthur wondering if he truly wanted her to answer or if it was just a question to break the silence, "I prefer breeches," was all she said.
Arthur merely nodded and sat down, his wife placing her hand over his for reassurance, "We have noticed as of late you're growing anxiousness to leave your room…and I feel as does my Knights, that it would benefit you to be more social."
R'han stared at Arthur in disbelief. Was Arthur crazy? Could he not tell that his Knights only wished for her death? And the moment she saw an escape she would take it?
"What do you want in return?"
"Your cooperation."