1Disclaimer: See previous chapters if you really want to know, but it's the same as always.
Author's Note: Wow, I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to update this story. Life has been so hectic. What with boy problems, last month of school projects, finals, boy problems, graduation, my dog almost dying and having to go into major emergency surgery the day of my graduation, my grad trip to San Diego, and a whole new set of boy problems, life has been pretty darn hectic. The good news is I have about 10 more chapters hand written for this story(which consists of at least a hundred double sided pages). The bad news is, my part time job is turning into a full time job and I'm going to be working 10 hours every day, so I don't know how much time I'm going to find to transfer all this stuff, especially since I'm not the quickest typist. Other good news is that the next chapter should be up shortly and around 8 pages. Anyways, on with the review responses. And I hope you guys like the latest installment.
Snape's Opera Rose: I'm so glad you found this story and are enjoying it so much. It's always good to see a new fan.
Anil: Welcome to the story. I'm so glad that you enjoy this story. Tristan and Kaleigh are so fickle aren't they? They should get over the whole denial of feelings, but then how would I evolve the story. sigh I guess we'll both just have to deal with it. For now ; - ).
Lucillaq: I'm sorry it took me so long to update my story. You might want to go back and read the last couple of chapters if you forgot about it. I'm glad you like how I'm developing the story and the characters. And yes, Tristan is sexy as hell!
June Birdie: Yes, he touched her butt. I was going to have her say something but realized that Kaleigh was probably still a little shocked after the whole wet Tristan shock. Besides, how else is a guy suppose to help a girl onto a horse. Whenever I need help getting onto my tall horse bareback, my guy friends always do it that way. Maybe I should just use the mounting block from now on.
Babaksmiles: I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Hopefully this one will give you a peek at how their relationship will begin to play out over the next couple of chapters.
A.K. Anomynous: Sorry this update took so long. I wish I could look at his body too, but life's unfair. Hope you like the chapter.
MistakenLove Sorry the last couple of chapters were so short. Hopefully this one made up for it. I hope you like it.
Just a fan: I'm so proud of you using a big word. And I totally agree, if I was Kaleigh and Tristan was like half naked in front of me and all wet and everything, well, I don't think I'd just look either. Hehe. Newho, I hope you like the update.
ZELINIA: Sorry it took so long for me to update, but I think it was worth the wait. Enjoy!
Cardeia: I'm glad you found this story and are enjoying it so much. I love getting new reviewers. Thanks for the compliments on how I'm developing the characters. I hope this latest chapter is as enjoyable for you as the others.
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY: I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter so much. I hope this one's just as enjoyable.
Dw: I'm glad you liked the different points of view for the dressing scene. I wasn't sure if I should go in that direction or not, but I'm glad I did.
Evenstar-mor2004: Yes, males do tend to think with their most southern brains. At least all the ones I know at the moment (unfortunately one of the reasons this took me so long to update. I swear if they didn't look so damn yummy I think the world would be better off without them.) I hope you like the newest chapter.
Calliann: I'm glad that I stopped the story at a better place last time. And I'm also glad you enjoyed it so much. Hope you enjoy seeing Lancelot "bite her head off".
Winged Seraph: I'm glad you liked the last update so much. It was such torture having to imagine and write Tristan all wet and without a shirt ; - ) j/k. I love Poe's work too, which I think I've already said, but oh well, I'll say it again anyways. I hope you enjoy this chapter, sorry about the long wait.
"spoken"
thoughts
Chapter 8: . . . And Arguments
They rode for over an hour as the world continued to darken around them. Kaleigh suddenly felt herself flung forward onto Valdeer's neck as his leg slipped in the mud. She shoved herself up and immediately noticed the slight hesitance in the usually smooth, powerful stride. She eased him to a stop and sprang from his back before he had completely ceased his motion. She knelt next to his right foreleg and ran her hand down it. A frown appeared on her face at the feeling of slight warmth in the tendon.
Tristan had grown accustomed to the steady pace of his horse and the constant pounding of Kaleigh following him. When the noise suddenly stopped, a nagging concern surfaced in the corner of his mind. He turned his head and eased Thagimasad to a stop when he saw Kaleigh spring to the ground.
As Tristan went back and stopped next to his companions Kaleigh slowly straightened, "He slipped." she explained, "There's a little bit of heat in his right fore. He has legs of steel, but I don't wish to push it since I may have need to ask much of him later." she remarked, thinking about when, not if, they were forced to deal with the Saxons, "You can go on ahead. I can follow your trail easily. I'm sure Arthur is waiting for your scouting report."
Tristan stared at the ground for a moment. He too was thinking of the enemy, though his thoughts concerned Woads and what they would do to Kaleigh if they found her and over powered her. She had told him to go, and if it had been anybody else he would have, but he simply could not leave her here. Alone. Helpless. His gaze flew up to pierce hers, "No. We go together. We'll walk. They shouldn't be far ahead now."
She gave a solemn nod and led Valdeer over to a fallen tree, using that as a boost back up onto her horses back, and turning to follow after Tristan. Once she was certain that her horse wasn't limping she relaxed and listened to the sounds all around her. She could hear birds calling to each other, rodents rustling in the underbrush and the trees creaking as the light wind rustled their leaves.
After riding in silence for a while she glanced over at Tristan, who appeared to be casually staring ahead but was really scouring the brush for any sign of danger. "I'm sorry." she offered, "For tricking you earlier. I shouldn't have knocked you into the water." He didn't respond, merely looked at her for a brief moment before directing his gaze back to all that surrounded them. Kaleigh felt herself saddened slightly, not liking the idea that Tristan might be mad at her and she would be alone with his silence.
"I'm sorry I surprised you."
He said it so quietly Kaleigh wasn't sure what he had said at first. When the words sank in she turned her head to hide the smile of relief that appeared unbeckoned at the mutual apology.
"Where did you get the scars on your back?" Tristan wasn't sure why he had asked. After all, it would be much easier to arrive safely back with the other knights if they remained silent.
His question was so unexpected Kaleigh didn't answer at first, "Oh me?" she asked, realizing he was talking to her.
"I see no one else around."
At the brief smile that graced his face Kaleigh fought a sheepish blush. What was wrong with her! Since when did she bloody blush! She scrambled to gather her thoughts into a coherent sentence. "Well, from a number of different places and people. Where did you get yours?"
He shook his head and turned his head to catch her gaze for a moment, "You first."
She sighed, "I probably got mine the same way that you did. Fighting. There's nine total, contributed by Saxons, Romans and a group of bandits."
"There wasn't that many on your back." Tristan realized too late that he had spoken his musings out loud and swore softly that he could have been so careless.
"Well, you must have been looking rather closely." said Kaleigh with a surprised, and she hoped, reproachful look "One isn't small, but it would be hard to see just how many there were from across that stream."
"I'm a scout."
"Ah, yes. So I've heard. In answer to your statement, well, you only saw my back." Tristan accepted the answer and they rode along quietly for some time, "Why did you not tell the others about me when you saw me on the hill and then again in the tavern?"
Tristan glanced over at her expectant gaze, "I don't know." he answered honestly, turning back to the trail ahead.
Several minutes later Kaleigh noticed a hawk circling their position. She was about to mention it to Tristan when he gave out a low whistle. The hawk suddenly swooped down and she was forced to duck as it flew over and past her, landing gracefully on Tristan's arm. She glared at the deadly bird as Tristan spoke softly to it. Too softly for her to hear as he seemed to whisper in its ear, stroking its feathery chest. Tristan settled back and they continued to ride in silence. Kaleigh glanced over at the hawk, shooting it a glare when it gazed back at her unnervingly.
"It's staring at me." she complained.
"You're staring at her." replied Tristan struggling to keep the amusement out of his voice upon hearing her whiny tone.
"No I'm not. She just creep me out." Kaleigh replied defensively and hunkered down into Valdeer's back, running a hand absently through the thick mane. She glanced back up and the hawk was still staring at her. Kaleigh tensed and Valdeer tilted his ears back and swished his tail in disapproval. Kaleigh made herself relax and risked another glance toward Tristan. The hawks small eyes bore back into hers. She sighed in aggravation, "Does it ever blink?"
"Yes." Tristan resumed talking quietly to the bird and Kaleigh rode in silence, trying to ignore the fact she was being ignored. Finally, she could take Tristan's silence and the birds stares no more and spoke up, "What's its name?" she asked, not really caring to know.
"Papai."
She smiled softly at the name of her tribes patron god. She shifted, bringing one of her legs up to rest across the arch of her horses neck. At her movement the hawk squawked and ruffled its wings. Kaleigh's stomach clenched as she watched Tristan sooth it back to stillness, her mind wondering what it would feel like to have those hands on her body. She chased the thoughts quickly from her mind and looked at Tristan to see if he had any idea what type of thought had just gone through her mind. But no. He was telling his bird 'not to worry about the silly little girl. She couldn't do her any harm'. Kaleigh wondered how good that scout would feel when that 'silly little girl' roasted his hawk over a roaring spit. She grinned as the image floated into her mind and with a start her eyes widened as she realized where her unattended thoughts had once again led her. 'Oh no! I'm jealous of a bloody bird!'
Kaleigh kept her eyes glued to the trail after that, terrified of her own thoughts and why she could possibly be thinking them for a man she had known for only three days. She didn't even glance up when the hawk once again took to the air. It was a comfortable silence, not at all strained like she thought it would, or should be, but she still sighed with relief when she saw some of the knights gathered around a campfire through some trees ahead of her.
"Am I that unpleasant to be around." Tristan asked in response to her sigh of relief.
Before she could answer he had dismounted and led his horse forward into the light.
"Tristan!" called Galahad, who first noticed him.
Kaleigh saw Horton, three knights and Arthur gathered around the fire. The later of which nodded his head slightly in welcome.
"Well, you were gone for a long time. Find something to kill?" asked Gawain.
"Don't you mean someone?" teased Galahad.
Bors smirked, "He was probably talking to that bloody bird again."
"Well, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that doesn't like that bird." Kaleigh said stepping forward into the light to reveal herself. In the brief moment she caught Tristan's gaze she saw an annoyance, but then he turned and lead his horse away.
The rest of the knights stared for a moment, shocked to see her there, with them.
"What you doing here?" asked Bors.
"Well, I waited all of 10 minutes before I missed all of you so much that I just had to come find you!" Kaleigh responded with mock enthusiasm.
"I knew you fell into my lap purposely." Galahad smirked.
"Oh baby. Oh baby." Kaleigh drawled with a roll of her eyes. She turned to focus her attention on the commander. "Arthur," she nodded in greeting, "If I have your leave, I'd like to join you on this, your last mission."
The commander continued to study her, "I doubt you truly seek my approval." he murmured but nodded, "I had a feeling you might be joining us. You can stay."
She smiled her thanks, "I expected to have to argue my point. Speaking of which, where is my dearest brother?"
"He's off hunting dinner with Dag." grumbled Bors, "And if they don't hurry up I'm gonna start roasting the Christian." He rubbed a hand over his growling stomach and looked at Horton who gripped his hands in front of his body and began to whisper frantic prayers.
Kaleigh laughed and reached into her bag. "Don't worry Christian. Life won't end so easily for you. Catch Bors." she threw a chunk at Bors and he caught it, "Eat that. I'm sure it'll taste much better than him."
Bors eyed the hard, wrinkled, dark object he held suspiciously and she rolled her eyes, "It's not going to eat you. It's just a bit of dried meat. You eat it."
Bors stomach growled and he took a bite. His face lit up in a smile, "This is good." his teeth ripped out another hunk, "Not like other dried meats." he mumbled through his stuffed mouth.
"What's it taste like?" Galahad was curious.
Kaleigh threw him, Gawain and Arthur a piece and they ate it with glee. "I have tasted dried meat, but never like this before." remarked Arthur.
"I found the recipe while I was looking for Lancelot. I'd wandered a little too far south and found a strange nomadic people that said they came from even farther east than the most eastern Sarmatian tribe." she turned and walked in the direction Tristan had taken, knowing he was putting his horse up for the knight. She passed by Jols who was arranging a large pile of equipment and smiled a greeting. She tossed Valdeer's reins over a branch and removed the supply packs and the leather strap that held them on. She laid those and her weapons carefully on the ground. She rummaged through a bag until she found a jar of thick pale paste. She took a small amount and began rubbing it into Valdeer's legs. She felt someone watching her, "It's for strain and the heat in his legs." she looked up to see Tristan leaning against a tree observing her. "Tristan, I know I don't have to ask, but I do anyways. You won't tell anyone about my other scars?" He nodded and she looked back down to finish administering the paste. She heard him go back to the campfire and followed soon after.
She sat down between Bors and Gawain pulling the cloak she had removed from her bags tightly around her as the fire did its best to fight off the chill. She joined in the conversation with the knights who were talking about some of Galahad's failed attempts to get women.
"Bah!" she cried at Gawain's recommendation that Galahad just walk up to a wench and kiss her. "None of you know anything about women!" Bors cleared his throat but Kaleigh chose to ignore him. "A women, even a tavern wench, want's a little choice and say in the matter."
"How would you know?" challenged Gawain.
She raised an eyebrow, "Are ye blind? Look at me." She gestured to her own physique, "Who better to tell you what a women wants then a women!"
Gawain looked her up and down, "Well, it's been working fine for me." he boasted.
"And look at the type of women you get usually." pointed out Arthur good-naturedly.
"It's not like he wants to marry the wench. He just wants some good old sex. Isn't that right pup?" Bors argued, causing Galahad to glance over at Kaleigh, slightly uncomfortable talking about the 's' word in front of his friends little sister.
Kaleigh laughed at the look," Galahad, pretend I am one of your male drinking companions at the tavern. I assure you, your language does not offend me, though I pray you tell me if mine should offend you."
Gawain slung his arm over Kaleigh's shoulders and lent close, "Hello, drinking buddy."
She glanced at him seductively before slamming her elbow into his side. He withdrew his arm to rub protectively over his sore side. She grinned, "No touching."
"Could have said that." Gawain grumbled as the others laughed.
The retort died on her lips as familiar voices could be heard approaching through the forest across the fire from her. She ducked behind Bors and he glanced over his shoulder at her, "What you doing?"
"Hiding from my brother." she whispered, curling tighter behind the large knight.
"He'll notice eventually." pointed out Tristan.
"Well, I prefer later." she hissed.
"Lancelot, Dagonet, welcome back." She heard Arthur greet them.
"I've brought your supper Bors." said Lancelot with a flourish, dropping something with a thump, "I'm glad to see that you didn't spoil your appetite with any small snacks."
Kaleigh could picture her brother staring at Horton as he spoke and struggled not to burst into laughter as the others did. She felt Bors shrug against her, "Your sister gave us food." he grinned sadistically over his shoulder at Kaleigh, "What was it you called it?"
She glared at him as she sat up and took her seat next to him. "It's dried meat, you oaf!" As soon as he turned away she slapped him upside the head. He whirled back, but her gaze was now locked with her very angry brothers.
"What are you doing here?" Lancelot's words matched his posture, cold and angry.
"I'm talking." The others grew quiet and even Dagonet watched with interest as Lancelot's expression darkened.
"Do not play games sister." he warned.
"Who said anything about games." she quipped.
"I told you to stay back at the fort." His voice rose, "You broke your word to me."
She rose to her feet slowly, her own expression darkening, "I have never, once, broken my word. I never said I would stay there."
Lancelot's gaze narrowed at her correction, "You're going back. Right now."
She smirked and her voice dripped with sarcasm, "Yes, I'll just head back through the Woad land in the middle of the night, in surroundings I am unfamiliar with, and you'll find me sitting, patiently, waiting for the men to come home. Perhaps I'll sew you a new tunic,"she said with mock enthusiasm, "or write poetry to pass the time." she snorted at the thought, "Be realistic, Lancey, I'm staying."
He narrowed his gaze further, his eyes now mere slits, "You are going back."
She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow, "No."
"Yes, you are!" his face was beginning to redden with anger, "You will do as I say!" he roared.
Kaleigh's expression turned as dark as her brothers, "I came here of my own free will." she hissed, "You can not make me leave when I might be able to help you gain back your own." She clenched her hands into fists and made her voice drop several octaves to a semblance of calm, "Arthur has already given me leave to stay."
Lancelot whirled on Arthur, "Why? Is it not enough to ask us to go on this mission? Now you ask her to risk her life?"
Arthur sighed, choosing his words carefully in order not to further aggravate his friend, "Lancelot, it is her decision to make. Not mine, nor yours. At least with us she will be safer."
Lancelot whirled back toward Kaleigh who had crossed to the same side of the fire as him and now stood with her backs to the others, "And what if you get hurt?" he cried, "I can not be worried with your well being. You don't even know how to fight!"
Kaleigh's mind tried to reason with her. It told her that her brother could have no idea what her past held and that he was truly just worried for her, but her anger drowned out the voice of reason. She laughed harshly and her hand absently went to rest against her scarred cheek, "Can't fight? Dear brother where do you think I got my scar. It was not caused by running with a pointed stick. A blade did this and I paid them back in fu-" She stopped herself from blurting out more then any of them needed to know. "I might not have as much experience as you, but I know how to fight." she hissed patronizingly, "And I know how to kill. You have been away far to long brother. I have already faced every evil this world can place in front of a woman, and I did it without you!"
Lancelot absorbed the information but his mind set it aside to analyze later, his anger was still burning to hot to hear or see reason. "I don't care. It's to dangerous."
"So is being back at the wall with the lecherous holy man." she commented coldly. "Tell me brother, you say I can not handle what I will face out here. How do you expect me to face a legion of Romans at the fort who are loyal only to their Roman Church and the imbecile that is it's ambassador?"
"You're not going any farther." insisted Lancelot, feeling his anger flare, but now it was also directed toward a mental image of Germanius and the sniveling weasel Horton who was trying to blend into the background unnoticed.
"What are you going to do brother, hide my horse?" she mocked.
Lancelot felt something snap inside and raised his hand to hit her, stopping centimeters from her scarred cheek. Her gaze never wavered, "Go ahead, if it'll make you feel better. But know this. I'm not leaving." Lancelot stared at her several moments more before turning and stalking into the forest.
Kaleigh stood with her eyes closed, trying to calm herself. A log collapsed in the fire, the sound of the wood snapping reverberating loudly, and she suddenly remembered she wasn't alone in the small clearing. She stalked off into the forest, in the opposite direction her brother had taken.
She wandered through the forest for several hours and it had been lightly snowing for some time now. She was over the argument with her brother but did not feel like joining the others quite yet. She finally sat down on a fallen tree and let out a sigh that never seemed to end. There was little moon and she could barely see the imprints of her footsteps beneath her. The forest had an eerie quiet as the snow ceased to fall and she couldn't help feeling slightly uneasy. She had never been anywhere this quiet. It was almost unnatural.
A twig snapped to her right, the sound echoing in the silence. She turned her head, straining her eyes to see what had caused the noise. She suddenly became painfully aware of just how helpless she was, she had left all her weapons back at the camp. She heard another twig snap and stood up, straining her ears to hear the slightest noise. The next time the noise came it was from behind her. She headed back in the direction she knew the fire lie. She might have been wandering for several hours, but she knew if she kept walking straight the camp was only several minutes away.
A low growl had her hesitating to lift her feet. 'Wolves.' She fought the fear that tried to lay claim to her. An answering growl came from her right. 'Two wolves. Wonderful.' She slowly reached down and her fingers grasped a large rock and fallen branch. She looked down at the pathetic weapons, she really missed her sword. She walked forward again, trying to keep her confidence up. She heard something panting beside her and realized the wolves were circling her.
"Great." she mumbled coming to a stop, "I can fight the most dangerous of men and come out alive, but what gets me? A giant fleabag."
She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to see the shape of a large wolf come sailing at her through the dark. She raised the branch in front of her, her mind registering that if she fell here she would only be proving her brother right and there was no way she was going to let that happen.
She heard the sound of a bow being released and the wolf crashed at her feet, an arrow protruding from its head. The second wolf came out of the dark at her and a dark figure moved between them. She heard the wolf give a brief yelp of pain and then the sound of its lifeless body falling to the ground. Kaleigh backed away from the figure and tripped over a root, which sent her crashing backwards onto her ass. The figure turned to look at her and she caught the slight glint of the moon off the curved blade as it was sheathed.
She breathed a sigh of relief, "Tristan." she pushed herself to her feet and the dark night sky let loose with a heavy rain that began to beat on both of them. Kaleigh raised her voice to be heard over the downpour, "How did you know?"
"When your brother returned to camp he was no longer as angry but grew worried and I said I would go search for you. I've been watching you for a while, ever since you tripped over that log and cursed it with every insult I've ever heard. Ladies should not talk like that."
Kaleigh looked at Tristan shocked. She didn't think she'd ever heard him speak so much at once to her. Then what he had said registered and her independent streak reared its ugly head, "You didn't need to. I was quiet fine without your help. Why don't you just leave me alone." she snarled. "No one asked for you assistance, so just bugger off!" Kaleigh closed her eyes, immediately swearing at her damn independence. She opened her eyes and Tristan was gone. She groaned and sank down to the soggy ground.
Apparently she wasn't completely over her fight with her brother if her temper could flair that easily. "Idiot." she berated herself gloomily. She knew she'd have to apologize to Tristan when she next saw him. He was only being kind and if it wasn't for him she'd most likely be dead or gravely injured, "Wow, did I blow it."
When she returned to the rest of the knights they were all huddled together around the fire that had all but gone out from the rain. She saw Lancelot huddled under a cloak and he graced her with a cool look before returning to focusing on the surroundings he was suppose to be monitoring during his turn on watch. She saw Tristan on the far side of the fire. She wanted to go over and apologize, but she had the strangest feeling he wouldn't appreciate it if she did it in front of all the other knights. With a sigh she settled down at a distance from the others, letting her back rest against the trunk of a tree and drawing her knees to her chest. She wasn't feeling up to talking so she closed her eyes. The area around her was silent and she knew that they were all watching to see what her and Lancelot would do to each other now that they were in the same proximity again. Well, she hated to disappoint them, but she wasn't going to be starting anything. She was too tired, cold and the rain was pouring too hard now for her to do anything but curl in a tight ball at the foot of her tree.
"Gah!." Gawain cried, breaking the silence finally, "I can't wait to leave this island. If it's not raining it's snowing, and if it's not snowing it's foggy."
She peeked one eye open to study his wet, bedraggled appearance and her eyes darted over at Lancelot in surprise when he opened his mouth to jest, "And that's the summer."
"The rain's good," murmured Bors quietly, "washes all the blood away."
The knights all stared somberly at the fire for a moment before Dagonet spoke, "Doesn't help the smell."
Bors chuckled as Kaleigh watched Lancelot turn to address the others better, "Hey, Bors. Do you intend to take Vanora and all your little bastards back home?"
"Oh, I've tried to avoid that decision," Bors answered flippantly, "by getting killed." All of the knights broke out in laughter and Kaleigh pressed her hands into her forearms, which were crossed over her bent knees to keep from laughing. "Dagonet," Bors continued in a conversational, if not perturbed voice, "she wants to get married and give the children names."
"Women." Tristan said, in a voice as close to a scoff as his ever got, "The children already have names, don't they?"
Kaleigh's head rose from her arms to look across the fire at Tristan when he spoke. He had been systematically working on his sword again and then raised his head halfway through his words. She saw that he had turned his head toward Bors and the others, but his eyes were staring directly into hers. She ducked her head and closed her eyes, uncomfortable suddenly at the steady gaze.
None of the others seemed to notice Kaleigh's and Tristan's interaction and Bors answered the question, "Just Gilly. It was to much trouble, so we gave the rest of them numbers."
"That's interesting. I thought you couldn't count." goaded Lancelot and Kaleigh pursed her lips when she heard the others laughing. She was really beginning to feel like she was invading this male bonding time and hearing things females were never meant to hear.
"You know, I never thought I'd get back home alive." Bors spoke quietly but it was loud enough for the others to hear and instantly sober them all. "Now I've got the chance, I don't think I want to leave my children."
"You'd miss them to much." Dagonet said sagely.
"I'll take them with me. I like the little bastards. They mean something to me." the way Bors spoke it was a fresh revelation for him and he cleared his throat to rid his voice of the sentimental touch that had entered it, "Especially number 3. He's a good fighter."
"That's because he's mine." offered Lancelot, earning a laugh from all the knights.
"I'm going for a piss." grumbled Bors.
Kaleigh bit down on her tongue to keep back the tears she had vowed long ago never to shed again. They all jested about going home, but it was very likely one or more of them would fall on this mission. It wasn't fair that Rome had done this to them, but she was going to make damn sure that her kinsmen made it home. Her heart had always been soft for children and it tore it to think that Bors' children might have to grow up without their father. Tore her heart to think of all the children that would never be if any one of the knights fell on this mission. As she felt the familiar, comforting tugs of sleep fuzzing her brain she vowed that each of her brother knights would survive this mission, if she had to give her own life to ensure it.