The explosions rocked the encampment and the Saxons began screaming. The light of the fires illuminated the faces of all on the Wall. The women smiled grimly. The explosives had killed several hundred Saxons at the very least. Arthur let out his breath. "Good God."
"And she will strike down the wicked ways of man." Lancelot looked up to see Aradia speaking. "Her code is their law, and their purpose is to save. All shall falter in the presence of the Goddess." She looked over and met Lilith's eyes. "It is begun. Now we meet them on the battlefield and we will see if Merlin's words ring true."
Arthur turned to Lancelot and the other knights. "It is time for you all to depart with the others."
Bors stepped forward. "We do not depart Arthur. We stay to fight with you."
"You are free now."
"Yes, and as free men we choose to stay and fight at your side." Galahad spoke. The men filed down the stairs to go and prepare for battle.
Lilith looked to Arthur. "Your men love you."
"I would not have them die for me."
"They do not die for you Arthur. They die for a land that became their home a long time ago. They just never realized it." Lilith ran her hand down his cheek. "We too go to prepare." The women headed down the stairs with Lilith in the rear. She turned and looked at him. "Be careful out there Arthur Castus."
"Lilith." he called. She looked back once more. "I pray you too are careful."
"I have no intentions of dying today Arthur." she told him with a wink.
Lilith joined her women and they dressed in their full gear. Hopefully the bullet proof inserts would help against weapons as well. They had thought of armor but without practice it would slow them down and make them clumsy. Today was not a day for clumsiness. They met at the top of the hill and each sank to one knee. They formed a circle; with their gloved hands folded on their raised knee and their heads bowed. The men were on horseback a short distance away. Lilith looked at each of her women warriors in turn.
"Today is a battle we have never fought the like of. But if we are to remain in this time then we cannot stand by and watch the world destroyed by evil and bloodthirst. These will be our people, and we will be a part of this land as much as those already here. We were brought back to this time for a reason my friends. Let us not waste that reason on doubts or fears. We are the Daughters; the elite of the Children of Time." Lilith's voice rose in a crescendo and her words were easily heard by the men. "There are none greater; none more qualified to complete this task. There is no man greater. And if this is to be a battle one, some, or even all of us die in, then so be it, but before that death we will show the Saxons a vengeance only women can teach. We will rain fire and brimstone down upon their heads and their death cries will ring in our ears as if it were music." Lilith stood and each of the women stood with her.
Arthur rode down the hill and out the gates. The leader of the Saxon army strode forward to meet him alone and anger radiated from the man. "I take it you are responsible for the deaths of my men and my son?"
"I can honestly say I am not." Arthur said honestly.
"Arthur, wherever I go on this wrenched island, I hear your name. Always half whispered, as if you were... a god. All I see is flesh, blood. No more god than the creature you're sitting on. You come to beg a truce? You should be on your knees."
Arthur stared at the man in front of him silently. "I came to see your face so that I alone may find you on the battlefield. And it will be good of you to mark my face, Saxon, for the next time you see it, it will be the last thing you see on this earth."
With that said Arthur turned and rode back into the Keep shutting the doors after him. He rode up the hill to his men.
With the first wave of Saxon soldiers the women left the knights and archers to take care of them. It wasn't until the rest of the army, along with its leader entered that they readied themselves. As soon as the fire arrows flew through the air and hit the oil separating the field they ran into battle.
They spread out so as to cover as much ground as possible. Rhiannon used only her long sword in this battle since they were in close quarters. She certainly didn't want to harm any of the knights or Woads in error. The blonde's heart accelerated as she sliced through the chest of one of the Saxons. Her sword clashed and caught once so she pulled a dagger with her free hand and slammed it into the man's ribs. It seemed to her that for every Saxon she fought and killed two more sprang up to take his place.
Vesna pulled her left dagger from a Saxons neck, but didn't wait to see him fall to the ground. She saw as an arrow pierced through Gawain's shoulder, but he just ripped it out and kept fighting. Vesna felt the cut of a sword across her shoulder blades but ignored it. She tumbled between two Saxons and one of the men hit the other while trying to hit her. Vesna took the opportunity during the moment of shock to slam her punching daggers into the man's thigh, slicing his femoral artery.
Her scimitars twirled as if she had four arms instead of two. Kali took the offensive moving forward every turn. The men in front of her retreated at the aggression advancing upon them. Her face was blank of all emotion and her empty eyes inspired fear. She felt cuts of weapons slicing her bare flesh but didn't feel the pain of them. Kali focused on the deaths of all Saxons. Tristan was battling Cerdic and Kali saw this in her peripheral vision. She let out a piercing whistle and knew she was heard.
A large man with grungy brown hair and beard had slammed Guinevere to the ground. Lancelot had deflected the man's blades at the last moment saving the Woad girl's life. He now fought with three Saxons after knocking down the dirty man. Hecate came to his aid knocking one of the Saxons aside leaving two for Lancelot. The brunette Saxon had stood back up and was currently aiming a large crossbow at the dark knight. Lancelot looked up in time to see his doom, but before the man could fire he made a choking noise and his eyes rolled up into his head. He slumped to the ground with Aradia's kitana still sticking out of his back.
Lancelot smiled his thanks and then noticed Aradia dropping to her knees. Sweat poured from the dark woman, and small bits of blood oozed from the side of her mouth. She gasped and wiped the blood away leaving a trail across her cheek. He raced to the woman who'd just saved his life. "You're burning up!" he exclaimed.
Lilith saw the Saxon leader knock Tristan to the ground and knew that Arthur would not get there in time to save his scout. She rolled into the melee and blocked the blow that would have killed the knight. Cerdic backed off looking at her through narrowed eyes. "They send a woman to do a man's job." he murmured derisively.
"There's no such thing as a man's job." she said never breaking his gaze. They circled each other and Vesna managed to roll in and get Tristan out of the fray.
"You're different than the other Roman wenches we've killed."
"I'm not a Roman."
"No." he agreed and took a slice only to be parried by her sai. "I have a feeling it's you to thank for the destruction in my camp this morning. Which one of you killed my son?"
"My sisters and I visited late last night. If your son was the bald man with the small braided beard then I would be the one who killed him. Quick and painless."
"Hm. Too bad our women aren't as brave." he said and she was surprised to see some admiration in his face.
"It's amazing what a little bit of training can accomplish."
"Perhaps, but once I kill you I doubt I'll be thinking of this again."
Lilith grinned. "You will not kill me today." He shot forward quickly slicing twice. One of the blows cut into her side, but the other glanced off her weapon.
Arthur strode forward and Cerdic stopped moving. Most of the Saxons lay dead or dying, but there were still some up so Lilith broke away leaving the Saxon to the future King. It didn't take long to dispatch the last few and when she saw Lancelot kneeling on the ground with Aradia lying in his lap she raced over.
Aradia lay panting with sweat pouring off of her body. Guinevere sat nearby crying into her hands. "What has happened?" Lilith demanded as the rest of the women, knights, and Arthur approached.
"She burns." Lancelot answered. "I find no wound. I know not what ails her."
"How long have you felt ill Aradia?"
"Since last evening."
"It is the paint." Guinevere sobbed. "It has poisoned her."
Merlin had approached. Arthur made to move towards Guinevere but his knights stopped him. Murder burned in his eyes. "The Woad paint. I warned you of it."
Lilith stood and walked over to Guinevere. "You gave us the paint and told us nothing of the possibilities."
"I meant it for you!" she cried.
Lilith punched the woman across the face knocking her on her ass. "You know nothing of us you spoiled child!" Lilith turned and moved to her friend. She and the others lifted Aradia and carried her into the chambers they'd used previously.
Arthur sent Galahad and Bors to retrieve their people from the caravan. Hecate, who was trained in medicine began work on Gawain's shoulder as well as the other injuries. Rhiannon offered her assistance. Vesna, Kali, and Lilith went to work bathing Aradia and putting her into bed.
Arthur entered the room as they watched their friend sleep. "Merlin has said she could possibly die."
Lilith sighed. "She will not die."
"You have many wounds. All of you, yet you do not tend to them." his voice was tinged with anger.
"We'll be fine Arthur." she snapped. "Now go. We need to care for Aradia." He looked at her from bruised eyes but left.
Aradia opened her eyes warily. "We shall have to tell them Lilith."
The others just watched her. "I know this." she said looking at her friend. "Don't think I don't. I had hoped that Merlin would be able to send us home. If that had been the case then they had never needed to know."
"But it isn't the case is it?" Vesna murmured. "We're going to be here for the rest of our lives aren't we?"
Lilith met Rhiannon's eyes, and Rhiannon saw the pain. Lilith felt as if she'd failed them. "Yes Vesna, this is where we'll live the rest of our lives."
"I'm sorry I failed you. It was my duty to get you home, and I can't."
"We don't hold this on you Lilith." Vesna spoke softly. "There's no way you could control this. Now, if you blew me up, I'd be pissed off."
"All this means is that we have to make the best of our situation." Kali added. "We could be in a worse place."
Aradia stood and was only shaky for a moment. "And now we must tell Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table of what it means to be a Child of Time."
Without speaking the women dressed in the clothing they'd appeared in; including their coats. Kali sent word with Jols to have the men meet them in the room with the Round Table. They were seated when the women entered the room. Lancelot shot up from his chair when he saw the previously dying Aradia striding in looking extremely healthy. In fact, all of the women looked extremely healthy. Gone were the wounds and lacerations that had covered their bodies such a short time before.
"What is the meaning of this?" Arthur almost whispered. Astonishment was clear on his face.
"There are many benefits to becoming a Child of Time." Lilith began and found she could not continue. Rhiannon stepped forward.
"You know some. You give up your past, but gain training and knowledge. You give up your old name, and are given another. As you rise in the ranks you are awarded additional gifts and rewards." She smiled at Lilith. "The future holds many wonderful things in it. Things you could not possibly imagine. Freedom from disease."
"Accelerated healing." Hecate added.
"And immunity to poisons." Aradia finished. "As I said previously. It is very difficult to kill a Child of Time."
"Not impossible mind you. Just difficult." Rhiannon smiled slightly. "Especially as you rise in the ranks. We were the elite of the High Agents. Each of us have received these three gifts."
The men sat stunned. Aradia looked at them with understanding. This would be difficult for them to comprehend. "And now we sit before you explaining what we are."
"We aren't quite human any longer." Lilith's voice was hoarse. "We're changed. What we once were went away a long time ago. We have no way home, and now we must learn to survive in your time. We have to learn to live in your world."
Kali approached Lilith and put her arm around the woman's shoulders. "We were created to destroy. Perhaps not history as Strung's men were, but Strung men themselves. Children of Time are assassins. More than that I know. We have saved many people, but in the end we're assassins none the less."
"We don't know how to be more." Aradia joined her sisters.
"Something like that never leaves you." Tristan spoke. "Fifteen years of servitude to Rome and we still know how to be more than killers."
"He is right." Galahad said looking at the scout. "There is much blood on our hands, but now we have the chance for more."
"Perhaps we stay and learn together?" Dagonet said softly.
Arthur looked at his men impressed. "So tell me ladies, do you have the courage to stay with us? Learn with us?"
"If you will have us then we will stay." Lilith responded.
"Then let us adjourn from this place and take part in celebration in the tavern." he said standing. His knights filed out, as well as her women. Suddenly it was just the two of them in the room. She hadn't met his eyes. "Lilith."
She looked at Arthur, and fear turned in her belly. "Yes."
"You have much to decide." he told her and began walking towards her. "There is much I want from you."
Lilith looked at him and the uncertainty in her eyes was clear.
"I want you Lilith. Make no mistake of that. What you must decide is if you desire me as well." Arthur brushed a strand of her hair off of her cheek. "I care not what you gave up in your past. I look towards the future now. And I pray that you are in that future. Now come, let us join the others."
The celebration lasted well into the night with all of Bors and Vanora's little bastards racing around giggling. Vanora was nagging Bors to give them names, and he was hemming and hawing. Lancelot stood against the wall a frown marring his handsome face.
"Do you fret missing Guinevere?" the soft voice came from his side and he found Aradia standing there.
The question surprised him. "Nay."
"It was obvious she had interest in you."
"She was a lovely girl, but only a girl." he answered honestly. "I am very glad you were not permanently harmed by her manipulations."
She shrugged. "I can honestly say I haven't hurt like that in a very long time, but I'm fine now."
"More than fine." he turned to face her leaning his side against the wall and smiling his most charming smile. "You are a rare work of beauty."
"Flattery Lancelot?" she smiled coyly.
"Nay, not flattery, only fact. You are indeed a beautiful woman."
"Well, Gawain's Sarmatian wife is certainly going to appreciate you." she teased him reminding him of the first day they met and the bantering between him and his brother in arms.
He chuckled. "Now, why would I possibly want to spend time with a Sarmatian woman when I could be spending time with you?" A wide grin broke across her face, and a delighted laugh escaped her lips. She was radiant "It is time for your first lesson on living Aradia." He murmured and pressed his lips to hers. Lancelot didn't crowd her. He made sure if she wanted to break away she could, but she didn't. Aradia met his kiss with her own and marveled at the feel of his lips to hers.
They moved apart slowly and she smiled up at him. "That was indeed quite a powerful lesson."
"You are a fast learner."
Aradia leaned back into him for another kiss.
Arthur was gone. Lilith hadn't seen him leave, but she felt the absence of his presence. She stood and looked around. Her women were laughing and flirting with his men. Lancelot and Aradia seemed lost in an extremely private and physical conversation. Lilith slipped from the room and made her way to his chambers. She knew he'd returned to his original chambers now that Germanius was gone. The door was ajar and as she stepped inside she saw him kneeling near the fire pit with broken shards of pottery in his hands. Lilith shut the door softly. "Was it something important?" she asked.
Arthur was not startled. "It was a symbol of the man who was like a father to me. I will never see him again." He stood placing the shards on his desk.
"I'm sorry. I understand. Balthazar was a father to me and I watched him die." Lilith moved farther into the room and looked at the multitude of papers and books on Arthur's table. "In a way you remind me of him with your ideals."
"Why did you come?"
"I've made my choice Arthur. I desire you. I came to be with you." she said finally meeting his blue gaze.
He was to her within an instant and had pulled her to him. "Are you sure?" he asked fiercely.
"Never more sure in my life." she told him.
Without another word Arthur lowered his mouth to hers.