Disclaimer: I don't own King Arthur. The only character so far in this story that I can claim ownership of is Kaleigh.
Authors Note: Well, here's the next chapter. Sorry it took so long to get up. I hope you guys like it. Now, on with the review responses!
katemary77: I'm glad you think I write so well! But unfortunately, you're going to have to wait several more chapters to find out how she got her scar. I hope I did okay on the Lancelot/Kaleigh fluff. I had a hard time writing it at first so I admit I imagined how my big bro and me would interact, so this chapter was a little MSish. Hope you like it!
ZELINA: It's good to know that I'm not the only writer out their who has issues not giving away to much to early. Thanks for the review and I hope you like this chapter. It sheds a little more light on how her relationship with her brother will hopefully progress.
dw( ): I totally agree with you. Having a big brother is a great thing, though they can be weird sometimes. But that doesn't change the fact we love them. I'm glad you like Kaleigh and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Evenstar-mor2004: Don't worry. Lancelot wouldn't really kill the horse. At least I don't think he would. But it was pretty effective at getting his sister to do what he wanted. Or so he thinks.
dellis: I'm glad you like my story! I sometimes read the post before the story too. It helps make things clearer.
Liduina: I'm glad you like my story. I hope you like this chapter just as much!
EveerythingChanges: Tristan is so totally yummy. Oops, that sounded really valley-girlish. Oh well, it's true. I'm glad you reviewed. But I hope you read later chapters because they're starting to explain everything. I'm glad you like my story and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
"spoken"
'thoughts'
The next morning, Kaleigh awoke as the sun rose, casting its brilliant rays in a feeble attempt to warm the cool, foggy climate. She gathered her belongings and slowly made her way to the stables. A quick glance at her horses stall revealed Valdeer and her tack missing. She rolled her eyes and set about hiding her remaining things from her brother, but not before grabbing an apple to snack on. After finding a stable boy and making a request she sat down on the same bale of hay as last night and waited for the knights to show up, smiling contentedly, knowing her plan was in motion.
Bors and Dagonet were the first to arrive and she called a cheerful good morning. Bors grunted something unintelligible but Dagonet smiled slightly and returned the greeting.
Gawain and Galahad were the next to enter and they barely registered Kaleigh's presence. She smirked as Galahad walked right into the post of his horses stall, which promptly woke him up and he rubbed the sore spot on his forehead. Gawain looked over at him and rolled his eyes.
She sat where she was for several more minutes, thoughtfully chewing her apple as she watched the four knights become gradually become more and more awake. She grew bored and turned to the tall stack of hay bales behind her. Putting her apple in her teeth she scaled the small wall and lay on her belly, staring down at the going-ons of the knights.
She was curious why Lancelot, Arthur and Tristan had not come into the stables yet. She knew her brother was probably still hiding her horse. As for Arthur, perhaps he expected his horse and belongings to be readied for him, he was a Roman after all. He hadn't seemed like he was of the same character as all the Romans that Kaleigh had met in her life, but she hadn't talked to him for that long, so she shrugged it off. Tristan was the missing person she was most puzzled with. He struck her as the type to enjoy the early mornings, much like herself.
'Just more time for him to be silent and anti-social.' Kaleigh thought, still slightly miffed at the way he had left without a word the night before. She knew if she was completely honest with herself, she was truly mad that she hadn't heard him leaving. She was normally more aware of her surroundings. She recalled her conversation with Tristan, if you could call it that. She knew exactly what he meant when he expected her to understand his ways of observation just because he was a scout. She herself was a fairly decent tracker, which was going to play a very big part in her plans for the next few days.
She was pulled out of her thoughts as her brother walked in. He stopped to talk to Gawain almost directly under her and the temptation was to great to resist. She dropped her apple core on the top of his head.
He looked up, rubbing his head. When he saw her he glared and she smiled innocently down, changing position so she sat with her legs dangling over the side.
"What are you doing up there?" he demanded, his good humor beginning to return.
She shrugged sheepishly, "Getting up's easier than getting down."
"Well jump then."
"Will you catch me?" she asked doe-eyed. When he sighed and held up his hands she smirked to herself, wondering just how annoyed she could make him by playing the cute and innocent one he had told Arthur she was. He wanted to treat her like a child and not let her go on the mission, then a child she would be.
She jumped awkwardly on purpose, making Lancelot fall backwards to the ground and she sat on his stomach. "Gee Lancey, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" Kaleigh heard the other knights snicker at her childhood nickname for her brother. She hid her glee at the frustrated look on his face. "Lancey," she saw him grit his teeth, "something horrible has happened."
"What?" he grunted as he shoved her off of him and stood up.
Her eyes lost the innocent act momentarily and he cringed at the brief coolness in her voice, "Someone stole my horse and tack. You wouldn't happen to know where they were, would you?"
"No." he turned and entered his horses stall, leaving her sitting on the ground cross legged. He knew, that she knew, he was lying and as the possible acts of vengeance she would enact flitted through his mind, he cringed.
Arthur entered the stable and paused when he saw her, "What-"
"Don't even ask." called Lancelot in warning and several of the knights smirked.
Kaleigh shrugged at Arthur and he went to his horses stall, effectively affirming Kaleigh suspicions that he was a much harder working man then any other Roman she had ever met. She continued to watch the knights prepare and snatched the apple core off of the ground to give to Valdeer later. She picked all of the dust and grime off of the juicy fruit, holding it close to thoroughly examine it. Inside, her mind began to crack, hating having to act so curious and innocent when she was anything but at the moment. Yet, she kept up the act because she knew her brother was watching her and her actions were driving him crazy. He was prepared for an angry sister, like the one last night, not this one.
She heard the distant sounds of hoof beats and filtered out all other sounds but those. She looked up expectantly, right as Tristan entered on his horse. She almost smacked herself. Here she'd been wondering why Tristan wasn't readying and she hadn't even thought to look to see if his horse was still there.
The silent knight rode by her, glancing down and she could almost hear his mind sigh in disgust at the naivety on her face. He dismounted, leaving his horse standing as he walked over to the single bale of hay and began cleaning his curved sword. She sighed and stood, her wish to get a closer look at the blade out weighing her need to annoy her brother. As she passed by his horse, she fed him the apple and Tristan glanced at her briefly as she wiped the slobber onto her dress carelessly. She sat down next to him and watched as he concentrated on cleaning and sharpening the blade. The other knights all came out to stand by them, done with their horses and finally ready to go. Dagonet sat down next to her. The mood that came from the knights was a mixture of dark thoughts and she wanted to brighten their spirits before they left. She turned to Dagonet who was running his finger over his axes blade, testing the sharpness.
"How many times have you cut yourself doing that?" she asked him.
He shrugged, "Many."
"Men." she scoffed in disgust.
"And what, dear sister, is wrong with men?" asked Lancelot.
"You're idiots."
The frankness in her answer had Bors laughing and the others looking at her in disbelief, clearly insulted.
Gawain covered his laughter with a scoff, "Surely not all men."
"I suppose," she conceded, "for I haven't met all men. I'm sure somewhere out there, there's a non-idiot male. Or so the survival of civilization hopes." She was stopped from continuing when Bishop Germanius entered through the stable doors. "I suddenly feel the desire to chop something into very small pieces," she murmured and stood, "you boys will have to excuse me before I do something harmful to someone." She hurried past the Bishop forcing a gracious smile onto her lips.
The Bishop watched the brown haired girl walk by him and smiled at the back view. He turned to the knights, "Ah, what beautiful young Briton maids you have here."
"She's not Briton." Bors informed him.
The Bishop looked at him with slight disdain, "Then she is Roman. What is a christian woman like that doing with pagans like you? Perhaps I should take her back to civilized Rome with me. I'm sure I could find some work for her."
Arthur saw his knights tense and Lancelot grip his hand into a tight fist, "Bishop, she is Sarmatian. Kin to one of the knights." he said, hoping the Bishop would let the matter drop, but alas, it was not to be so.
Instead, the Bishops expression brightened further, "Ah , an exotic beauty, despite that scar, probably given to her by some past lover during a fight." he thought aloud, "Perhaps I will knowledge her in the ways of good religioned men." Arthur didn't bother saying anything, if someone shoved a knife through Germanius now, he was certain they would be doing Rome and the church a favor, friend of his father or not.The Bishop turned to a thin man next to him, "This is my secretary Horton. He shall accompany you as a representative of God."
Arthur nodded, "Jols, find him a horse." The timid man followed Jols away from the talk.
Lancelot squeezed and released his fist repeatedly, trying not to lunge forward and kill the Bishop where he stood. That was his little sister that he was talking about! No one talked about his little sister like that. The only thing stopping him from killing the Bishop was Arthur's stern gaze which clearly said, 'No.'
Tristan continued sharpening his blade. He knew the Bishop was lucky Kaleigh had not been there to hear his suggestive words. He had a feeling she would not be showing as much restraint as her brother was. He himself was wondering how long it would take the Bishop to die if he stabbed him through the stomach right then. 'Would he die differently then others just because he was holy?' Tristan wondered. He doubted it.
The other knights thoughts were not far from Lancelot's and Tristan's. They may not have known Kaleigh long but she reminded several of them of their own sisters back in Sarmatia. She embodied the nearness of their freedom and all those things waiting for them back home. Besides, she was Lancelot's sister and therefore more than worthy of their protection.
The Bishop finally began to notice the cool looks he was getting from the knights and shivered slightly at the emotionless look of the wild looking one as he sharpened his blade.
The tension was broken by none other than Kaleigh, who entered the stables followed closely by a large black horse.
Lancelot's eyes widened, "How did you find him?"
She shrugged, "I didn't. I whistled and he came, he always does." She grabbed a halter and slipped it over the large, refined horse head. She left him standing there and went back to her spot in between Tristan and Dagonet. The Bishop cast a look her way but then melted into the shadows at the assorted glares.
Kaleigh smiled sweetly, "I have something for you Lancey."
"What?" he asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
She placed something in his hand, "A token of my love."
He looked down, "It's a dead thorny plant." he paused and glanced back up at her smirking face and returned the look, "I'll cherish it always."
"Good. The last time you left I gave you that pendant and so I knew I had to give you something much more heartfelt this time."
"Men, it's time to go." said Arthur breaking up the bonding moment.
The knights went to bridle their horses, except for Tristan, whose horse stood next to Valdeer, ready to go.
"You have given your brother a token. But I am curious, will you miss the rest of us as well?" asked Gawain from his horses stall.
Kaleigh pretended to mull it over seriously, "I don't think I should miss you Gawain. You're to pale and remind me of the weak men back home that tried to court me." Galahad laughed, "Nor you Galahad," Kaleigh continued, "for you are probably the same age as me and therefore would never be able to, appease, a woman of such wide fancies as myself." All of the knights snickered, "And Bors," Kaleigh turned to him as he exited the stall, "I suspect that Vanora and your little bastards, that I have heard so much about, shall miss you enough as it is. Dagonet, you are so silent. I unfortunately don't see a difference between you being here or being gone. And Arthur, you I might miss. If only because you seem to be the only knight who has any form of chivalry and modesty left." she teased.
"And what of Tristan?" asked Galahad as he and the others exited their stalls.
Kaleigh looked at Tristan who was beginning to stand, ready to join the others. She placed a hand on his arm stopping him from moving away from her. He looked down at her expectantly, "Yes." she said breathlessly, "I will miss you Tristan. And our long, intellectual conversations. You will return to my alive won't you brave knight?" Kaleigh's tone was teasing but when Tristan's dark eyeslooked deep into hers he saw a flash of something and she immediately ducked her head.
He pulled away without responding and the knights laughed at the surprise that now covered Kaleigh's face, ""I have never before been rejected." she exclaimed, placing a hand over her heart in exaggerated horror. "I fear I will die of shame, or," she paused, "perhaps that serves only to make me more intrigued. A challenge. How new and exciting."
Gawain scoffed, "Lady, you could have any of us. Come Tristan, you and I shall battle for the love of the lady." he called as he mounted.
"Take it." replied Tristan.
Kaleigh's eyes widened and her mouth dropped slightly. The knights mounted laughing. She stood and followed them to the stable entrance, "Be safe." she whispered as Lancelot passed her and he smiled reassuringly. As Tristan rode by her, he nodded to the shadows and with a quick glance, Kaleigh saw the Bishop in the shadows. She nodded in thanks to Tristan and watched the others ride by, "If you don't all come back in one piece I shall be very cross." she yelled to their retreating forms.
With a sigh she turned back into the barn and glanced at the Bishop who emerged from the deep shadows where he thought he had gone unnoticed. "Bishop." She acknowledged him and walked back toward the tall stack of hay bales, attitude suddenly one of business.
The Bishop followed after her, "My dear woman, may I enquire as to your name."
"Kaleigh." she clipped, knowing she had to play nice or the Bishop might not play along with her plan. She mused over how convenient it was that he was there in the stables, that meant she wouldn't have to search him out.
"Kaleigh," She gritted her teeth at the way he rolled her name from his tongue. "I was wondering if perhaps you might join me in supper." he commented as she scaled the hay.
"Look out!" she cautioned as she threw one of her supply bags down.
The Bishop backed to avoid being hit. "Perhaps, after that, you could confess your sins to me."
She rolled her eyes and dropped her sheathed sword and the other bag to the ground below. She paused and looked down at him as he continued.
The Bishop eyed the weapon curiously but when Kaleigh cleared her throat he continued, "Perhaps we could go to my chambers and have a private prayer session," he looked up at her, "and we could wash away each others sins."
Kaleigh pulled back from the edge, fighting the nausea that swept over her at the suggestion behind his words. She grabbed her quiver and bow and jumped nimbly down, landing lightly. She straightened in front of him and flicked her hair over her shoulder, smiling coyly."Actually Bishop, I was planning on going on a long ride through the country. I would feel so much more safe to have a man such as yourself accompany me."
The Bishop smiled, "Of course, my guards and I would enjoy a pleasant ride."
Kaleigh shook her head and glanced down, faking extreme shyness, "Actually, I was hoping that just you and I could go for a ride. I have so many questions to ask and so many things to confess," She glanced back up at him, the innocent look from earlier back on her face, "I would prefer if only nature heard what I have to tell you."
The Bishop looked Kaleigh up and down again, a lecherous smile on his face, and Kaleigh had to fight the urge to let her facade drop and punch him. "Yes child, that would perhapsbe best."
She smiled shyly before passing him, her hips swaying more than usual, and going to Valdeer. The Bishop watched as she lashed the two bags and weapons to the giant stallion with a strap of leather latched around the horses large girth. She then motioned with her hand and a stable boy emerged leading the Bishops completely ready horse. The Bishop looked surprised and Kaleigh forced a blush, "I had planned on finding you and had this boy ready your horse on the chance that you might say yes. I hope you don't find me presumptuous my lord."
The Bishop smiled wider on hearing that she had been planning her time with him and was obviously looking forward to the ride. He watched her take a leather contraption out of her bag and slide it onto her own horses head. It went around the horses nose and two reins came out of a knot under the horses chin. A leather piece went from one side of the noseband, around behind the ears, and then attached to the other side of the noseband."May I ask what that is?" he asked curiously.
She blushed again, "I can not afford a proper bridle my lord and this is something my father made for me long ago." She pulled her cloak on over the blue dress, leaving the hood down.
"And what of a saddle?"
"Again, I can not afford one. I have grown up riding astride. I know it is a sin, but do you think you could pardon me?"
The Bishop nodded and Kaleigh forced a gracious smile to her lips. 'Pompous ass!' her mind screamed, 'As if I really need your forgiveness.' She jumped onto Valdeer's back and waited for the Bishop to settle in his saddle. 'Foolish man. Believes anything I tell him.'
The Bishop nodded and led the way out of the stables. She moved up next to him as they passed through the fort gates and began riding along next to the wall at a slow walk. The Bishop asked her questions and Kaleigh answered politely, though inside her mind was fuming, 'Yes, believe this pack of lies.' she thought condescendingly, 'This is no man of God. This is a man of worldly pleasures. Especially those that satisfy his own flesh.' The Bishop reached out and placed a bejeweled hand on her thigh and Kaleigh's hands clenched around her reins, but her outward reaction was to blush shyly and move sideways away from him. "My lord." she reprimanded and glanced upwards at the Romans watching them from atop the wall.
While they rode along Kaleigh kept the Bishop's brain entertained with other thoughts as she subtly steered him toward the large gate in the wall. When she stopped Valdeer at the gate the Bishop's horse stopped as well. She maneuvered as close to him as she could get, "Here we are."
He looked at her confused, "You want to go on the other side of the wall?" She nodded, "No, I will not permit it. It is far to dangerous for a girl like you."
"But my lord, I won't be alone. I'll you have you there to protect me. Surely your God would not allow any harm to befall us." she said sweetly.
"No, but no one knows what will happen when pagans are involved." Germanius said disdainfully.
Kaleigh sighed, allowing her facade to finally melt away and her true emotions to show, "I was afraid that you might say something like that." Without Germanius even seeing her move her dagger was against his privates, her cloak and the closeness of the two horses hiding the movement from the Romans above them. "Now, dear Germanius, unless you would forever like to talk a few octaves higher, I suggest you tell the guards to open this gate back up."
He stared at her in shock and then gave a feeble attempt at a haughty laugh, "And why should I believe that you would really follow through on your empty threat. You wouldn't dare hurt a man of God."
"Not my God. And here's something you should know about me," She applied more pressure to the dagger, enjoying watching him squirm, "I don't make hollow threats."
He narrowed his gaze, "You wouldn't."
She smirked, "You really want to chance it? Before you answer, remember you have much more to loose than I do."
The Bishop studied her cold expression and he knew without a doubt that she would follow through on her threat, "Guards, open the gate." he yelled and the Romans hurried to do his bidding.
"Good boy" she murmured.
"You know you won't live after this. I'll kill you myself." he whispered over the creak of the slowly opening gates.
Kaleigh chuckled, "Better men than you have tried to kill me. And here I am. You know I really would be doing you a favor. Doesn't your holy book say something about cutting off appendages and gauging out eyes if they cause you to sin."
Germanius' mouth dropped open slightly, "A heathen like you knows the good book."
She laughed, "I'm pagan, not illiterate." The gates clanged open, and a dry wind kicked dirt up into their faces. "Walk forward."
The two riders moved through the gate and she spotted the hoofprints of the knights horses, "Well, Germanius, my dear hostage, here is where I must say goodbye." She withdrew her dagger and heeled Valdeer into a full gallop, following the faint hoofprints. She could hear the Bishop yelling at the Roman guards to kill her and not let her escape. She knew by the time the first arrow was fired she was well out of range of all but the best Sarmatian bows. And with that thought in mind she let the swirling dirt swallow her.
A/N: I'm so happy that so many people reviewed my story. It really does make an author feel good to know that their work is appreciated. So, please, don't be shy. Push the little blue button and drop me a line. Good, bad, whatever. It all helps!