Chapter 5
She sat in the stable throwing knives at the target that was hanging. 'Why did the stupid Bishop have to open his trap? They're all probably angry at me because I didn't tell them the truth.' The last knife hit the center with a thud and she slid onto the floor. Bergo whickered at her, telling her that he wanted to be brushed again. Slowly she got up, went to his side and brushed his brown coat. "Do you think they hate me Bergo? Most probably. I'd hate me if I were them." Hearing footsteps she turned and saw Arthur walk past her, Lancelot behind. She put down her brush and quietly followed them. Standing at a wall that blocked her from them she listened to the conversation. "Why do you always talk to God and not to me? Pray. To whomever you pray that we don't cross the Saxons." 'Saxons?' she shook her head and continued to listen.
"My faith is what protects me, Lancelot. Why do you challenge this?"
"I don't like anything that puts a man on his knees."
"No man fears to kneel before the God he trusts. Without faith, without belief in something, what are we?"
"To try and get past the Woads in the north is insanity!" Lancelot yelled. This was the first time that she had heard him yell like that.
"Them, we've fought before."
She heard Lancelot's feet stomping the ground. Slowly she peeked around the corner making sure that they didn't see her. "Not north of the wall! How many Saxons? Hmm? How many?" Arthur looked away and Lancelot sighed.
"Tell me. Do you believe in this mission?"
"These people need our help. It is our duty to bring-"
"I don't care about your charge," Lancelot yelled. "And I don't give a damn about Romans, Britain, or this island. If you desire to spend eternity in this place, Arthur, so be it. But suicide cannot be chosen for another-!"
"And yet you choose death for this family!" Arthur yelled in anger.
"No, I choose life! And freedom!" He slammed his hand down making Raine flinch. "For myself, the men, and Raine!"
Arthur looked at Lancelot with a calm face. "How many times in battle have we snatched victory from the jaws of defeat? Outnumbered, outflanked, but still we triumph? With you at my side, we can do so again. Lancelot, we are knights. What other purpose do we serve if not for such a cause?"
Lancelot shook his head. "Arthur, you fight for a world that will never exist. Never. There will always be a battlefield." He faced Arthur. "I will die in battle. Of that I'm certain. Now hopefully, a battle of my choosing. But, if it be this one, grant me a favor: don't bury me in our sad little cemetery. Burn me. Burn me, and cast my ashes to a strong east wind." Arthur looked back emotionless as Lancelot started to leave but stopped. "What of Raine?"
"I am to give her dispatch papers. She will not fight any longer." She held in a gasp.
"Why not?"
"Bishop told me that her village was burnt. No survivors."
"How?"
"Saxons."
Raine felt as though she couldn't breath anymore. 'Mom? Dad? And Jade? Dead?' She stumbled backwards a little. "Do the other knights know?" Arthur nodded. Losing her balance she fell onto the ground. Arthur and Lancelot turned the corner to see her looking up at the ceiling. "Raine?" She got up and walked away slowly towards the Tavern where Vanora was cleaning up and the children were playing. "Raine? Where were you sweetie? You missed all the fun!" The look on the young girls face made her stop. "Are you alright?" She sat next to her and rubbed her back as the knights walked in. "Raine?" She took of the necklace the Jade had given her and gripped it. "Dead. All of them?" she asked as she looked up at Arthur with sad and desperate eyes. He nodded and she threw the necklace at the ground and ran away to her room. Gwain picked it up and looked at the others before following her inside.