Sorry that I updated so late, but I am in a rush lately. Not much time to write. Okay, hope you guys like it. Enjoy.

We were walking through the woods until sunset. Severel times we stopped to rest for a little while but not long enough to actually regain strength. But when Arthur said that we would stay here for the night, everyone gave sigh of relief. Luckily there was a little stream where we made camp. We could refill our water supplies and clean ourselves. They were all tired and exhausted. Especially the children. I looked to Dagonet who still held Ida. She was sleeping. Still. Poor girl. She must have been so frightened earlier.

The children dismounted the big horses with help of the knights and then looked for a comfortable place to sleep. There was not much grass, in fact none. Only ground and leaves but there were also spots with moss. I looked with them for places that were could to sleep on. Most of them curled up close to each other. Some were frightened. A few seated themselves in front of the fire that Gawain sparked and stared dreamy in the red flames. After I checked on the children who were already sleeping I made my way to those who could not find any sleep. I sat next to them and enjoyed the warmth of the fire. One of the smaller boys came to me and placed himself in my lap. I embraced him warmly and he immediately relaxed a little. Then I told them a story. And they listened carefully. And after a while I saw that their eyelids grew heavy and they fell asleep moments after. I placed Ruben, the boy in my lap, softly on the ground a covered him with a small but warm cloth.

I made my way silently to Nora, but when I was almost by her I saw that she was not alone. Someone was with her. One of the Knights. The young one with the curly her. Galahad was his name. She was talking to him. And they seemed to have interest and have lots to talk about. They were smiling the whole time. It seemed they liked each other. I was happy for her. I turned around with a small smile on my face and went to check on Ida. When a simple but worried question popped up in my head. Where actually was she? I had not seen her since we stopped here. I checked up on the other children. I thought she was safe with Dagonet. I did not want to disturb Nora. She should enjoy her time with Galahad. She probably did not know either. So I walked through the camp, stopping on every little bunch of sleeping children to look if Ida was with them. But I could not find her. Finally I saw Dagonet sitting close to a tree aside. I hurried to him.

"Where is Ida?" I asked a little anxious. He looked up to me and motioned to me to be quiet.
He moves a little to the side and I saw her lying there, sleeping peaceful.
I exhaled relieved.
"I totally forgot she was with you. And I could not find her. I was worried. But I know she is safe with you. Please forgive me" I said and seated myself close to them.
"What should I forgive you? There is nothing to forgive. You are tired. You should rest. You look after more than one child. It can happen that you lose sight of one" he stated knowingly.

"Lay down. Here. I keep guard" he was right. I was tired. I laid down next to Ida. One arm wrapped protective around her. Glad to finally be able to sleep after such a long day I closed my eyes. But could not find sleep right away. I opened my eyes again and I saw Dagonet sitting against the tree and keeping guard. He looked tired himself.

"Don't you want to sleep. You must be exhausted as well?" I asked him hushed. He turned his face to me. He must have thought I was already sleeping judging by his expression.
"I am fine" that was all he said. I raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure. I feel bad when I know that you have to sit here and watch over us. I can do that. And you can get some sleep" I offered.
"I am used to not getting enough sleep during missions. So don't bother" he said with a smile.
I did not know what to respond so I kept quiet. But still finding no sleep I questioned him further.

"Nora told me you are Sarmatian Knights. Can you tell me something about this land? I am afraid I do not know anything, actually I never heard of it before" He looked so sad.
"I cannot remember" he closed his eyes "I cannot remember what it was like"

I felt bad. It must have been a sad story he, they had. And I, of course had to remind him that he did not know anything of his homeland. Ashamed I looked away from him. I sometimes should just be quiet. I cursed myself for being so careless. Maybe he wanted to talk about it. I collected myself and looked back at him and asked him

"Do you...you want to talk about it?" I gave him an encouraging smile "What happened?" I asked softly and sat up to see him better.
He looked at me with an unreadable expression. I could not tell if he would yell at me, ignore me, stand up and walk away or actually answer me. Somehow I got lucky and he did indeed answer me.

"We are cursed. The Romans take the Sarmatians for years into their service. Every Sarmatian son becomes a Knight in service of Rome. But we did not ask to be here" he said angrily "There was a fight between Sarmatians and Romans. Only a few Sarmatians survived. Impressed by their bravery the Romans spared their lives and took every 15 years sons of the Sarmatian tribes who survived. Until now Sarmatians are in their service. But not willingly, we fight for a thing we do not believe in. We despise the Romans" he told me.

"But you do not hate Arthur, do you?" I wondered. He chuckled a little.
"Arthur?"he asked "No. He is more Britain then one of those bastards and if he is we tell him" he said in a matter of fact tone.
"And when are these 15 years over for you?" I asked. He took his time to answer my question.
"I reckon in around 5 years or so"

"You don't know exactly? But you must?"

"It probably sounds like I do not care when I will be free. I do. But I cannot change the fact that I still will be in service of Rome even though I know when I will be free" he said "You should not bother yourself with my fate. It is how it is!" he just shrugged.
I nodded my head to show him that I understand his view.

"But I do bother" he looked at me astonished. I smiled at him "I bother the same as you bother yourself with us" he smiled back.
"It is how it is" he had to chuckle and I joined him, I could not hold it back. It was great to see him laugh, I have not seen him laugh before and it just showed me that they are still human and capable to feel albeit they do not show it often.

We did not say anything for a while. Just kept staring into the sky or the nearby fire. The night sky was clear and the stars were shining bright. You could hear crickets in the distance. The fire was cracking. The children were fast asleep and were lying close together. Loud snoring came from the other side of the camp. One of the knights, probably Bors. I grinned unaware.

"Bors.." he said quiet and shook his head as if he knew that I was hearing him as well

"He always snores. Kind of annoying, I know. But I am used to it by now" he told me.
"It is alright. I don't mind" I assured him.
I yawned widely. He noticed.
"You should sleep now. It is late"

"Yes, master" I joked and he chuckled again. I loved to hear him laugh.
"Good Night, Dagonet" I said and laid down again and closed my eyes.
"Night" came it back. I had a big smile on my lips. Sleep came fast and took me in the lands of dreams.