A New Life
Chapter 2
"Now, why have you come here?" Gawaine asked while turning back to Shyare, "You know my release is not for another two years."
"Well, I've been to all the Roman outposts warning the Sarmatian knights," Shyare responded nervously.
"Warning them of what?" her brother continued, now suspicious.
"You have no home to go to," she said quickly, not wanting to prolong the news.
"What do you speak of?" Galahad asked.
"The Saxons have invaded the East, Rome in the west," she explained, "All of the tribes have been destroyed or converted, the Alani, Roxolani, and Izagnes are gone."
"You must be joking," Lancelot said, with a bitter laugh.
"I assure you, I am not," Shyare replied grimly, "If you were not killed by Saxons in theEast or turned into their slaves, you were converted to Christianity in theWest."
"What of our family?" Gawain asked, not quite sure he wanted to hear of their outcome.
"Our parents fought back, like the rest of the Alani," she said quietly, "those who revolted the Saxons, were killed."
"How were you able to escape?" he asked.
"I was knocked unconcious on the plains during the end of the battle," Shyare said while looking at the ground, "When I awoke, the village was being held captive by the Saxons. Those who survived the battle, were used as slaves, I escaped after two months of planning."
"Where have you been since then?" Galahad cut in.
"I've been to many parts of African and European coasts. Britain was my last stop." She replied.
"How long have you been traveling?" Bors inquired.
"For abouttwo years. Of course, I've been making record time, some due to being chased around for piracy" Shyare said slyly, Gawain, infront of her, was running his hands through his long locks frustratedly.
"You what!" Gawain said, his head snapping up at this news.
"Well, I've been living on the sea for the past two years," Shyare replied calmly, "I had to make some kind of living."
"So Rome's after you? Galahad said incredulously.
"Well, yes, but they've failed to capture me on many occasions," she replied with a grin.
The entire group began to laugh, except for Arthur who had a scowl on his face.
"So you're the infamous Sea Thief," Arthur said darkly.
"Aye, that'd be me," Shyare replied, "I hope you won't turn me in," she continued, "Which is why I have a proposition for you."
"Go on, Shyare," Arthur said.
"For the two years I lived a life of piracy, having the time of my life stealing right under from Rome's nose, I'll spend two years in your service as a knight," Shyare said with a smile, "How's that?"
"I'll agree to it," he replied with a sigh while shaking her hand, "But only because you're Gawain's sybling," he added.
"Good, everything's settled," Shyare said with a grin, "But I see Bors, Gawain, and Galahad have returned empty handed," she continued, "I'll be glad to catch us a meal," she said while pulling out a single arrow and a bow, "Is a deer alright?"
"That's fine," Arthur said dismissively.
"That is,if you can catch one," Lancelot added with a challenging grin.
"Lancelot, count down three minutes, and I'll be back with a fine deer," she said in a sickening sweet voice while patting the top of his head, "In fact, I'll even bet on it," she continued brightly.
"If you don't win, you warm my bed tonight," Lancelot said with a smirk, a glint in his eye.
"When I do winShyare countered back, "You will not be touching any women for a week."
"Deal," Lancelot said.
Shyare left into the woods silently and returned two minutes later with a deer slung over her good shoulder. Lancelot, Bors, Galahad, Dagonet, and even Arthur stood there awestruck. Tristan stood there, with a usual expressionless face. Gawain on the other hand had a large smirk on his face, while trying to controll his laughter. Shyare gently set the deer down infront of where the fire was.
"Lancelot, I would not bet with my sister," Gawain said, "She's a master gambler, and doesn't take heed to loosing."
"No women for a week Lancelot," Bors said with a chuckle, "Vanora will be extremely happy."
"Lancelot, you can make our meal," Arthur said to his friend's dismay.
"Where'd we put the water skins?" Bors asked.
"We didn't bring them," Dagonet said.
"Gawain, if you'd go into the front right bag, I believe I have some spiced rum," Shyare said, "I think something a little stronger than water will do."
"A woman who drinks?" Galahad asked.
"I live on rum, grog, beer, and water," she replied with a smile.
"Well, I say you'll fit in with us fine," Lancelot said suggestively.
"How are you with weapons?" Tristan asked calmly, as everyone ignored Lancelot's last comment.
"Quite fine," Shyare replied.
"Can you weild a sword?" he asked.
"Long or short, any kind you hand me," Shyare said, "Two if needed."
"What of an axe?" Tristan continued.
"It wouldn't be my first choice as a weapon," Shyare replied, tired of being interviewed, "But if occasion calls, I will use it."
"Daggers?"
"Good for a street fight or a tavern brawl," she replied.
"What of archery?"
"I'm fine with it," Shyare replied, annoyance was clear in her eyes and voice, "Let me stop your ranting, I can have a duel with any of you and escape with minor injuries."
Before Tristan could provoke her more, Gawain cut in. "Tristan you don't want to have a duel with her, you're getting yourself in a load of trouble."
Shyare stood up and held her hand out to Gawain.
"Brother, if he wants to lose a duel, let him," she said.
"I assure you, I won't lose," Tristan said as he pulled out his sword.
Galahad looked towards Lancelot, who was still having trouble trying to cook the deer.
"Get your arse over here Lancelot," Galahad called, "Tristan and Shyare are going at it in a duel."
Tristan stood across from Shyare holding his sword in a casual manner. Ready to begin the duel, Shyare walked towards her horse and pulled out a sword similar to Tristan's, only a bit shorter. Her opponent made the first move and Shyare blocked it with ease. After Tristan tried to attack several times andShyare blocking each one, he became frustrated. Shyare put a hand over her mouth as if yawning, which infuriated Tristan. As he made a lightening fast movent for her neck, Shyare ducked and put her sword aboveher in a block. As quick as Tristan, she went behind him and was about to put her sword against his neck, when Tristan turnered to face her. They were chest to chest with blades against each other, Shyare was about to jump backwards when Tristan grabbed the back of her head. As she was pulled against him, she aslo had no way to move.
"Give her a kiss!" Lancelot said with a grin. Gawain punched him in the arm with a scowl.
While Tristan was being distracted, Shyare kneed him in a very sensitive place. A quick look of pain come over Tristan's face, and then he stepped back. While Shyare looked at Gawain with a smile on her face, thinking she won the duel, turned her back on Tristan. Seconds later she felt herself pressed up against a hard body, with a cold steel against her neck.
"You really shouldn't turn your back on an opponent until you're sure they have given up," Tristan said in her ear, she could feel his warm breath on her neck.
"I didn't expect you to recover so quickly," Shyare said with a smirk, "Do you not have anything down there?"
This comment caused and uproar of laughter from the rest of the knights.
"You know, you can always check yourself," Tristan said ignoring the laughter, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. This action caused an even larger uproar.
After a second of shock, Shyare dropped her sword and rammed her elbow into Tristan's gut. After escaping his clutches, Shyare turned around to look Tristan in the eye. She dug the heel of her boot into the top of Tristan's foot. She then gave him a hard punch in the face, which caused him to drop his sword. Unfortunately, it went through Shyare's boot into her foot. She quickly yanked it out and let it fall to the ground. She was about to give Tristan another punch when someone grabbed her waiste and lifted her off the ground. Tristan picked up both his and Shyare's swords. He slid hers into the scabbard on her horse and his into its own.
"This isn't over, Tristan!" Shyare yelled at him.
"It is for tonight," Arthur cut in.
Shyare looked up to see Dagonet still holding her in mid air. He gently set her on a log acorss from Tristan, who was showing no emotions.
"Tristan," Gawain called across the fire, "Did I mention Shyare doesn't take a liking to men kissing her?"
Tristan mumbled something, Shyare could have sworn he said something along the lines of "I believe it slipped your mine."
A/N: Hey thanks for the reviews! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Was the fight scened okay? I'll explain Tristan's odd behaviour in the next chapter! Please review all you readers!
Wanderer of the Roads: I'm glad you think the story's cute. It pleases me to know that you already like Shyare and her wolf! I have to admitt, I'd absolutely love to have a wolf as a pet! They're awesome! Yeah, I think Lancelot's funny too, I'll try to put more flirting with him in! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'll try to keep my next update up to your expectations, I'm updating as soon as I can!
Litha2124: Is interesting good? I hope so. I liked that part too, I'm updating as soon as possible!