Focuses on Alec's travels mostly towards to the Wall!
Reunion 16
Alec smiled as he and his horse, one of his best friends-Constance, trotted lightly through the trail his Master, father, and uncles traversed days before. The day was pleasantly warm and the birds were chirping cheerfully as he passed by under them.
He was very excited and felt like he was truly a man now, or as close as he could get whilst still under the commands of Marquis Lancelot Shieldguard Lyon of the House of Lyon, Lord of Badbury Shire County, First Knight of the Round Table, Knight Commander, and King's Protectorate. If I complete this mission, from what Aunt Emogen said, Master Lancelot will petition to King Arthur for permission to join the Order of the Dragon, the Knights of Briton…I could become a Knight! This was what he had wanted ever since he met the Knights and Arthur all those years ago.
Now, here he was on his first mission, which would make or break him in his pursuit to become a Knight of the Round Table. He smiled and thought about all the training Lancelot had put him through in the last three months. Under Lancelot's control, Alec had been awakened an hour and a half before dawn everyday, except Sunday for religious purposes, and he was ordered to sprint from his rooms to the training yard within five minutes or he had to do one hundred and fifty push ups for every minute he was late. Once there in the training yard, Lancelot would put him through the paces with his Twin Demon blades.
He was proud of himself through. Lancelot's Twin Demons were nearly impossible to beat unless you wielded Excalibur, which he did not, and he was able to hold himself accordingly against his Master for many hours. Then Lancelot would push him even more with horseback training. He would pace Constance through twists and turns and even put his beloved horse through mock battle scenarios in which the other Knights or trainees would shoot arrows at him or near him and he'd have to ride her through all of that.
When horse training was finished, his diamond hard master, who would not allow him to rest, would then put him through another sprinting obstacle course in which he'd have to run through the a pathway with swinging swords, flying arrows, swim through murky waters, and then ride on horseback while fighting a horde of Knights.
His day ended with Lancelot giving him a rundown off all of his mistakes, if any inaccuracies had occurred, and he would be sent to the bathes. Then the rest of the night belonged to him.
Every once in a while, he could swear by God, himself, that his Master would occasionally smile at him with pride-a pride he once wished from his biological father, Marius. Not that he did not love or want approval from his father, Dagonet, but Dagonet had his own Page to be proud of, and Lancelot's pride and belief in him was what truly made his heart blaze with the desire to join his Master and Father at the Round Table.
As he passed through the forest, he remembered the Knights plan to make the Sarmatians travel through Sherwood Forest in a circular pattern. The Knights and the Sarmatians would have traveled through the forest for most of the day, whilst he passed through it relatively quickly-within three hours.
Once he was back on the road, he spied in the distance, a large Roman styled villa that reminded him, uncomfortably, of his old life when he was Alecto. He frowned. That house wasn't there when Rome ruled Briton six years ago, was it?
With a shrug, he jiggled his reigns and started cantering down the road. After a few minutes, he came upon a scene that made his blood boil.
Right along side the road, was a pretty, young woman with dark brown honey toned hair and snapping brown eyes. Four, big and burly Romans in armor and a wealthy looking young man in a perfect white toga surrounded her on all four sides. Each man was wearing an awful leer that made him, a man, feel dirty and disgusted by his own gender. He had thought that all the remaining Romans that were still living in Briton were those who had taken up Arthur's mantel.
His frown deepened when he saw the wealthy man roughly grab a hold of the woman's upper arm and throw her to the ground. She cried out and curled into herself and her slightly plump middle. Alec felt a deep hatred well up in him. That was the same position his mother had taken when she had tried to protect his unborn, now dead, sibling eight years ago.
He reared Constance and shouted our in a blazing hot tone, "HALT!!! What do you think you are doing?!"
All six looked up at him-only the woman looked relieved.
The men, unfortunately, ignored him. Alec frowned. He was not used to be ignored. The wealthy man was laughing dangerously and swinging a bone hilted dagger near the face of the downed woman. Moreover, his leery looks were sending skitters up and down his spine.
He trotted up as close to the men as he dared and said again, "Release her!"
The wealthy looking Roman pushed himself in front of the group, still gripping the woman by her dress though, and said in a seemingly tall voice full of power and control, but really only made him look like a fool, "I am Remus Romulus, son of the Great Roman Lord, Vicerius Romulus! Who are you?"
Alec sat up straighter and said strongly as he gripped his sword, which had been gifted to him by Lancelot and Dagonet a year before, "I am Alec, son of Lord Dagonet Monies Hors, of the House of Hors and Squire of Lord Lancelot. In the name of my Master, Lord Lancelot Shieldguard Lyon the Knight Commander and First Knight of the Round Table, release that woman!"
The wealthy man sighed, cleared his throat, and said in an evil scoff, "You are not Lord Lancelot's squire. Lord Lancelot's squire is a boy of fifteen."
What is with this man? Has he frozen time around his villa! Everyone in the kingdom know who I am!
Alec pushed back his cloak and stated proudly as his Master's shield and his ranking symbol, Senior Squire, which were embroidered into his tunic top, "I am Alec Hors, son of Marquis Dagonet Monies Hors of the House of Hors. My father is the Head of Finance. I am the Squire of Marquis Lancelot Shieldguard Lyon of the House of Lyon, First Knight of the Round Table, Knight Commander, and King Protectorate! In the name of my Master and King Arthur, Release her NOW!!"
Alec watched with amused eyes as the Roman nearly collapsed as his title and rank was made known to them. The seal of Lancelot was famous throughout the Kingdom as well as King Arthur's. There was not a man, woman, or child of any class that did not recognize the emerald and silver shield and the golden lion with twin swords crossed behind it.
At the same time Romans in armor backed up slowly as his Master's name was said. Many who protested Arthur's reign feared Lancelot. However, many, many, many more loved him for all the good he has done for the Isle of Briton.
The young woman, lurched unsteadily to her feet, and placed shaking hands on his thighs as she said breathlessly even as her dress rose because the Roman still had a hold of her dress, "Thank you my Lord, thank you!"
Alec smiled gently at her and asked soothingly, "What's your name?"
She smiled shakily up at him and said, "I am Ina and I am his father's sex slave. I was born in Gaul to Lord Trajan Sectarian and my mother, who was also of Gaul. I was sold to Romulus' family when I was eight. Master Vicerius threatened to have me killed a few days ago unless I left his lands. Remus here, he has been doing all he can to keep me here so he can have the pleasure of killing me himself, and his bastard sibling I carry in my womb."
Alec nodded and said strongly, "You, Remus Romulus, will let her go freely and without impunity. Do you understand? In the name of King Arthur, answer me!"
Remus, who had managed to remain in control of himself, stood tall, released the woman, who he still held captive by gripping her dress with white knuckles, smiled maliciously and kicked her savagely in the center of her stomach as he said contemptuously, "As the King wishes, so shall it be."
Alec roared with rage as he swung himself off Constance and pulled out his sword at the same time.
All that was running through his head was the sight of his mother leaning over a chamber pot throwing up her midday meal and a lot of blood and the thought that his beloved mother was dying and he could not do anything to heal her. He was not about to let Ina go through the depression that had befallen his mother because she had lost the child.
Alec was like a man possessed! He attacked the nearby Roman's with his sword with a bloodthirsty passion he had never felt before. In just a few strokes, as he was well-armed and the Roman's were not because they had only prepared themselves to face a defenseless woman, the Roman soldiers were laying on the ground in a helpless, bloody mess.
Alec moved purposely towards the Roman, who paid the soldiers to be his personal bodyguards (mercenaries), and roughly manhandled him. Almost immediately, Remus Romulus had his hands tied behind his back and his feet bound too. Alec nonchalantly tossed the wealthy son of the Roman Lord over his horse that was tethered to Constance.
Alec then turned to the woman and told her in a serious tone, "I want you to travel to Kameland City-Proper and speak to Healer Selina. You will find her in the public Healing Chambers."
With that, Alec handed Ina five gold coins stamped with the busts of Arthur and Cordelia one on either side and continued on his way to Hadrian's Wall with Remus slung over his horse like a sack of potatoes.
King Arthur will want to deal with him, personally. Alec thought with a mischievous grin.
Alymere, who had caught up to Alec since Alec had stopped to offer aid to a woman in need, smiled in approval and marked on a sheet of parchment; protecting the weak.
Daylight was waning, but Alec refused to rest. In fact, he only rested when his horse, Constance, refused to move another step. Alec grinned as his horse's stomach, loudly, informed them all that she was hungry.
He dismounted and said as he pulled an apple from one of his travel bag, "Here you go girl...enjoy."
As their horses recuperated, Alec helped Remus down from his horse, untied his ropes just enough for him to pull his hands to the front of his body by bringing them down and under his feet, and handed him a soft cool loaf of bread.
When he turned his back on Remus, Alec turned his face towards the sky and thought it is nearing the witching hour...I must reach the Wall sometime today! Father, Master, the Uncles, and King Arthur MUST know about Attila's treachery!
Then in a burst of scattered leaves and cracking sticks, Alec spun around and crossed his arms with a smirk. Remus was stumbling around, quite loudly, in his attempt to escape. Alec nearly burst into boisterous laughs as tree limbs caught in Remus' pure white Roman Toga and scratched his pretty face.
It was ridiculous!
As Remus, in a panic-like mindset, sporadically pulled and yanked himself free from the tree limbs, tripped over an uprooted tree root, Alec's attempt to suppress his laughs failed.
"Ahhahahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Alec could feel the venomous, murderous stare of Remus Romulus, but he found himself not caring. In fact, he stopped caring about what other Romans thought a long time ago. He knew from personal experience that Romans were not the most tolerant people, and most often than not, they were as savage as they claimed other races to be.
He learned that from his bastard of a birth father-Marius.
Alec shook his head and slowly trotted after Remus. The Squire of Lancelot easily caught up to Remus and picked him up as if he weighed no more than a sack of grains.
As Alec dragged him, on his back to their horses-over a LOT of broken branches and pointy rocks-Dagonet's son had to give Remus a little credit. For a Roman who was tied up, Remus managed to crawl a good ways away, but Alec could have easily followed the trail left behind the Roman Lord's son. Tristran's training was far too tough and good for him NOT to miss the trail left behind by Remus' body.
When they reached their horses again, Alec roughly retied the bounds around Romulus' ankles and unwound the ones around his wrists. As expected, Alec ducked a wild swing and shoved Remus to the ground. As Remus gasped out in pain from the landing and the shove, Alec straddled the
Roman Lord's son and painfully pulled his arms back behind him.
With his arms bonded tightly behind his back Alec, once again, slung Remus on top of his horse as he was a dead man's corpse. Alec shivered at the analogy.
As Remus shouted and raged at him about his ill-treatment of his 'Noble Persona', Alec, with his feet, smudged up the area to make it look like no one had rested there.
Another one of Lord Tristran's lectures-never let ANYBODY know where you've been as that is a LARGE clue as to where you are going or where you have ALREADY been.
Alymere, who had hidden himself in a large tree, observed Alec from one of the thickest branches he could find. The Knight sent to watch over and grade Alec nodded in approval. Alec had so far shown his willingness to help those who were weaker than he was, wrought out justice, showed mercy to those who do not deserve it (Remus), and has shown great strength. Moreover, he had traveled a far distance in only four, nearly five, hours. That showed great endurance.
Commander Lyon will be proud to know that his Senior Squire is undertaking his trails and passing them flawlessly! The young Knight thought with a large smile.
As Habren followed, somewhat meekly, behind her eldest brother, she asked hesitantly, "Lancelot, will you stay for a while? I'd like to talk...really talk to you, brother."
Lancelot turned his head over his shoulder, sighed, and said with a small smile, "I'd like that too, little sister."
Tarkan piped in hopefully, "May Melean, Pappy, and I join in too?"
Lancelot shrugged carelessly and said as he opened the chamber's heavy oak doors and plopped himself down in the largest chair the four Lion Tribesmen had ever seen, "I do not care. These are your chambers whilst you are here. If you will notice, there are three other doors in this wing. You can pick your own chambers."
Habren sat down silently on the large bed and gasped as she sunk in about two inches, "What is this made of?! It feels divine!"
Lancelot eyed her bed and smirked. As he placed his hands on the back of his head, he said, "This was once my chambers while I served Rome. That bed is made from expensive goose feathers and wool from sheep."
Melean shot to his feet, from his place beside his wife, Lancelot's sister, and exclaimed, "This was yours when you served ROME?!?!? How is that possible?! They'd NEVER pay for such meaningless expenses-especially for conscripts!!!"
Lancelot threw back his head and laughed as his hands fell to his lap and said, "That's true, Rome did not buy it for me…."
He slowed down and eyed his siblings, friend, and brother-n-law seriously, as he finished, "But Arthur did."
Lancelot sighed as the one question he hoped would not come up-did, "Why did King Arthur pay for it? You are Sarmatian and he was Roman at the time?"
Lancelot closed his eyes and said softly as he cast his mind back nearly twenty-one years ago-to a time when he was still a scared and lonely boy-man of thirteen who wished his mother were there to comfort him, "We had only been in Briton for two days when we arrived at Hadrian's Wall and the Milestone, Vindolanda. We were immediately called to order to meet our new Commander, Lucius Artorius Castus. As Arthur walked among us, he came to me and asked for my name. I was sarcastic and asked, "Why?" It was not like he really wanted to know me, or so I thought. The Legionary took his whip, and just as he made to whip me for my insolence, Arthur had Excalibur up at arms and the whip wrapped around it instead of hitting and hurting me. Arthur looked at me and said soothingly, "It was a request and men do not have to answer to requests." With that, he walked away. I was so shocked at I told him my name and thanked him for doing what he did. After that we became friends."
Habren blinked and said in awe, "He did…but that's not how Roman Commanders act! He should have let the Legionary hit you."
She watched him as he shook his head, smiled, and answered once again, "Arthur has never been the typical Roman. Even from the beginning, he believed in Free Will and that all men are created equal. He even had the Round Table there that very first day, so when we met there for the first time we all saw each other as equals."
Pappy blinked and shook his head as he added on in an attempt to steer the direction of the conversation AWAY from Arthur, "So, tell us about your family here. Tell us something about them."
Lancelot's eyes brightened and a smile bloomed across his face as he replied with love reflecting in his voice, "Well, I guess I shoulder start with Arthur. He is my commander, my king, my best friend, my cousin, and most importantly my brother. I can tell him anything, do anything, and not feel ashamed about what I have said, or did because he will not degrade me. Then there is Cordelia, Arthur's wife and Emmy's cousin. She is a lot like Arthur in the sense that she is loving, calming, and a gentle commander. She is very nice and if you will let yourselves, you can love her too."
His smile grew even larger as he added, "Then there is my Emmy. She is everything you would ever want in a woman. She is warm, kind, gentle, understanding, peaceful, and smart. She is a warrior and a healer and she is our Lady of Peace. She has brought great honor to my house and I love her very much. My twins, Erlina and Enid, they are my angels. I love them so much it hurts sometimes. I would never hurt them for all the greens of the Steppes. They are smart, sweet, funny, warm, and kind just like their mother, and Cadman, he is my salvation. He will survive me into the next generation and bring great honor and prestige to our house and I will love him forever no matter what he does in his life."
Lancelot blinked and shook his head as a mist clears from a lake. He smiled at his old tribesman and ended, "There are too many children, Knights, and Ladies to explain them all individually, so I'll just say this, "I love them all with all my heart and would not wish them harm for any reason-even betrayal."
Habren and Tarkan looked deeply into each other's eyes with awe and a hint of envy. They loved their mother and father very much, and Tarkan loved Jessiopeia with all his heart, but he did not think he could love them with such depth as Lancelot claims to love his own.
Perhaps he loves so because he knows the horror of pain and war, and to love is the greatest purity of the heart…he has grown in such ways that I will never be able to aspire too.
Lancelot cleared his throat and asked instead, "And mother and father, how are they truly?"
Habren shrugged and said sincerely, "They miss you. They think you are dead, but then again, everyone thought you had died. However, when none of you returned, the tribes thought that perhaps instead of death, you were forced to stay against your will. That is why we came here in the first place. We came to bring you home because we thought you…"
Lancelot interrupted with understanding flooding his system, "You thought we were forced to stay behind by Arthur! You came to rescue us."
The four Sarmatians nodded silently. They remained silent for a few more minutes, much to Lancelot's discomfort, but Melean perked up a bit and said, "Agrimpasa will not stop in her pursuits of you Lancelot. What are you going to do?"
Lancelot sighed and answered in a tone that killed that particular topic of discussion, "I will ignore her to the best of my ability. That's it."
Habren felt tears welling up in her eyes, because she knew that her and the other's arriving had caused her brother and his fellow Knights great pains in their hearts and souls, but she chocked them back and said, "Attila is still dangerous brother. I know we promised to kill him should he cause you anymore harm, but there are still others we need to convince. What can we do to show them that those of non-pure Sarmatian blood are just as worthy of the name Sarmatian?"
Unfortunately, before the First Knight could say anything, Aldus stormed the room and cried out, "My Lord! Your Squire, Alec is here! He brings bad news! You must come, now!"
Lancelot paled and rushed out of the room not bothering to see if his siblings, friend, and brother-n-law had followed him out or not.
It had been hours since his last rest, but Alec was determined to reach the Wall by early afternoon the next day. As he passed by Bala Lake, the squire of Lancelot made sure to stop and pay his respects to the Lady of the Lake. Remus, from his place slung over the horse, snorted and mumbled something that Alec knew was dishonorable to his person, but as always-he ignored it.
Alymere, who was very proud of Alec, nodded and checked off the last objectives on his list- stamina to withstand the temptations of sleep and a sense of responsibility to push himself beyond his normal limits.
Alec's strength was waning, but his determination to reach the Wall was stronger than his tired body. As the sun reached mid afternoon, Alec's eyes widened in pride and awe-he had finally reached Hadrian's Wall.
As he galloped through the stone gatehouse, he yelled out strongly yet coarsely, "Bring me King Arthur! I am Squire of Lord Lancelot! Summon forth the King and the Lords of Briton!"
Aldus blinked at him but rushed to do as he was bided. He might be Lancelot's second-n-command, but Alec Hors had more influence and power since he was Lord Dagonet's son and Lord Lancelot's squire soon-to-be-Knight of the Round Table.
As the Knights arrived, Lancelot demanded, "What's wrong Alec?! Why are you here?!"
Alec turned to his father and said as Dagonet opened his mouth, "Mother, Lucan, and Imogene are fine father. It's Katheryne who is dead."
Tristran came right up into Alec's face and demanded harshly, "What was that, boy?"
Alec met the scout's gray bland yet smoldering eyes evenly and replied, "Miss Katheryne, our apple girl, was found murdered by Aunt Emogen who was walking a teething Cadman. She came upon her in the closet and called for the guards. Sir Morton went in and found a dagger with Attila's initials engraved in the steel blade. Attila murdered Katheryne! I was sent by the Ladies of Camelot and Queen Cordelia to inform you all of this My Lords, My Master, My King."
With that, he bowed and waited for King Arthur's next order.
While his son had been explaining the entire story to the other Knights, Dagonet had spun around and ran with all his might towards a specific chamber within the Wall's protective boundaries.
Habren and the other Sarmatians of the Lion Tribe, who had followed Lancelot, gasped as Arthur turned raging eyes of lightening green upon them and said in a deep, dark, dangerous voice with Dagonet appearing in their peripheral vision dragging Miskoc to the group of gathered people, "Attila WILL DIE!!!!!"