Ok so, another chapter...I think I hear someone in the back of the room clapping...ok then. My brain is getting a little dry here, so I might need to slow down on my updates...but I am sure some friendly encouragement might speed it up a little. Alright then, so on with the I don't own anything stuff. Um...I don't own anything...except Krista, but she's scary, so I'm gonna give her to my roommate for her birthday. Hahahaha!

Time May Change

I am going to kill and skin whoever designed this room so big. It took me at least three seconds to put each foot in front of me and another five just to make sure it was really on the floor before I would put enough weight on it to bring my other foot forward. And did I mention that my ankle felt like it was going to snap in half with every step? Finally after what seemed like hours I slumped into the lone chair at the table and greedily began eating. I grinned as I heard Arthur sigh and walk away.

For first century cooking, this was great stew, I ate the whole bowl in a matter of minutes, and it was a big bowl. Of course I then regretted eating so fast as my stomach was so used to be empty that it nearly erupted. I pushed the bowl away in disgust and stood as the door opened to reveal a frustrated looking red head with a baby at her hip.

"I'm so sorry dear, I told Arthur that I have to stay with the kids but he said you refused to wait so I brought number eight with me. Now what can I get you that you are in such a hurry?"

She walked forward and sat the one year old on the table next to the bowl where the child instantly began playing with the spoon.

"Well, I don't know…" wow, that face looks agitated. "Some clothes I guess, so I can leave the room."

The woman's face softened as she took in my ragged jeans and dirty shirt that no one had bothered to remove. She broke into a soft laughter and stepped forward.

"The name's Vanora, wait here and I'll get you something. I'll have to borrow it from one of the barmaids mind you, you're a tiny little thing, but I'll only be a second. Watch him while I'm gone please." Before I could protest she was already gone.

I hate kids. I really do. I sat down at the table again and bunched my fingers in my hair in a very frustrated manner. Twenty years old and I had managed to avoid baby sitting until now. Good thing she would be back in a few minutes, otherwise I'm not guaranteeing there would still be a number eight when she got back. I stared forward at the happy toddler as he smacked the spoon off the bowl time and time again. I wish I could have seen my face, I am sure I looked cross enough to kill a baby rabbit with just the look I had. Too bad it doesn't work on kids…

"Ok, this is the best I could do." Vanora floated back in the room holding a dress.

"Oh no, I don't do dresses." I backed up hesitantly.

"Come now dear, it isn't all that bad." She held it up as though she were admiring it. Disgusting; a wench's dress. I have no choice apparently, not if I want to get out of this room. Like I was complying with being put on death row, I stepped forward.

"Great, I'll just put this aside while we get you cleaned up." I swear if she tries anything funny with my hair I will kill her and her lousy brat kid.

An hour and a half later I finally stepped out of the room. It was completely dark out side by then, so at least no one out doors would see how ridiculous I looked. Thankfully Vanora settled with pulling part of my hair up out of my face part way and leaving it at that. I still wanted to kill her for messing it up though. She tried putting ribbons in it…tried. I brought my broken switchblade with me, I sneaked it in the folds of the dress somehow, I don't even know how I managed it. I stepped into the moonlight cautiously, my ankle still hurt and I hated to admit that Arthur was probably right about staying in bed; the stairs nearly did me in.

I look toward the stables but Vanora grabs my arm and pulled me to a brightly lit building that was omitting way too much noise for my liking. A tavern, figures. I step inside and tried to sink into the crowd unnoticed. Unfortunately, the Roman soldiers didn't find me quite so unnoticeable. A dirty drunk man grabbed me by the waist and before I knew it had me against the wall his lips getting way too close to mine and I didn't have to guess where he was about to put his hands. Before he could reach his goal though, he suddenly found himself against the wall, four inches of steel pressed against his gut. My eyes cold and unnerving got the message through clear enough; another move and you're getting gelded. A slight jerk of the blade to get my message the respect it deserved and I left the guy sweating against the wall.

As I turn back to the crowd I saw Vanora smirking. "Well done, I hate these bloody Romans," she whispers as I walk past her. I make my way deeper into the crowd eventually ending up with Tristan and a few other men who were throwing knives at a target. I sweep behind one of them, taking a knife from him without him even realizing I was there. Tristan saw it though and he pulls the stupid man out of the way just in time as I throw it full force at the target, hitting it dead center, the blade deep in the wood.

One of them, with long curly dirty blonde hair starts to laugh. "Watch it Galahad, she might get you next time."

"Very funny." He stepped forward to retrieve his knife but couldn't pull it out. He gave it a good jerk and it came flying out, almost dumping him his butt. The blonde man steadied him and then turned to me.

"You have good aim Krista. I am Gawain." So wonderful of Arthur to have already introduced me to his bloody knights. I glare at him and walk away; I had enough of these bar fools. I grab the apple Tristan was eating out of his hand and made my way to the door, cutting the apple with my knife as I went; it was time to see the horses.

I finished the apple soon after entering the stable. It was very good; the big juicy green kind that leaves you looking for more. I sat down in front of a stall and stared at a big black horse that was nodding his head at me. I had given him the last piece of apple, generous me, and he was looking for more. Something told me this was the pathetic man named Galabad's horse, so I felt bad for him.

I cross to another stall. This was Tristan's horse if I remembered correctly. I approach and the horse shakes his head as if confirming my thoughts. "Hey boy, how are you? No, I don't have to worry about you; I can tell Tristan knows what he is doing with you." I hear the gentle crunching of someone walking on hay and I spin around, knife bared to meet Tristan's gaze. I stare him down for a few seconds before he breaks the silence.

"You handled that roman pretty well for a woman as sick as you."

"I'm not a woman and I'm not sick; I was merely unsettled last night."

"You're still recovering, you should be resting now."

"I'm fine; I don't need your help." I raise my blade to a more menacing position as I stand my ground.

"When I found you it certainly looked like you could use some help."

"And I thank you for it, but I am perfectly fine now and I think you need not concern yourself. I am perfectly well." I bite my lip hoping he wouldn't see how exhausted I truly am; the barn was starting to spin now it felt like being on the inside of a snow globe when it's being shaken.

"I think you lie." Darn it! "You are not fine. Your forehead is bathed in sweat; your fever is returning, your eyes are clouded, I can see exhaustion in them no matter how hard you try to hide it." He stepped closer so that my knife was only an inch away from his chest. "You are straining yourself just standing here; I can see your legs shaking with fatigue. I doubt you could take another step."

Insults! He is insulting me! I draw myself up defiantly and step forward, knowing I can prove him wrong. I put my weight on the wrong foot however. I was suddenly crashing forward onto his chest. My blade thankfully slipped from my hand before I accidentally stabbed the one person who didn't see right past me. Too bad, he was really starting to piss me off.