Disclaimer: I don't own the legend of King Arthur. I just own Kaleigh and the way I fit her in to the story.
Authors Note: Sorry it's been so long in coming. This chapter was really hard for me to get into. But, I'm pretty happy with the end result, so let me know what you think. And I made it extra long. 13 PAGES BABY! WOOHOO!
Review Responses:
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY: Thanks for the review!
dw: I'm glad you liked the humor!
MedievalWarriorPrincess: I'm glad you liked the last scene of last chapter. I was actually thinking about leaving it out and I'm really glad that I didn't because a lot of people seemed to like it. I'm so happy that you like my story cause I'm really enjoying yours too! Anyone reading this should definitely check out her story, One Sarmatian.
dellis: Thanks for reviewing after the long break! I'm glad to know that you were still reading the story though.
deerintheheadlights: Thank you so much for the praise! Sorry to keep you waiting so long, but I hope it was worth it!
Fuzzy Makes Me Happy: haha, my parents use to give me weird looks when I still lived with them and would read stories. Now my room mate gives me the funny looks. Thanks for all the praise. I hope you like this chapter.
Jenni: A lot of girls adore Tristan. He's just, sigh, rawr worthy. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Lucilla: Sorry, this wasn't exactly ASAP, but I had some issues getting into it. I hope you enjoy.
MORWEN12: Here ya go. Hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm glad you like the rest of the story.
Aoibhinn: Thanks for the compliments, but you really don't have to kiss my feet. You could clean my kitchen for me though ;-) I totally agree with you about Marius kissing chicken butts. He's a jerk and he will get his. No worries. Thanks for the compliments and hope you enjoy!
Chapter 12: Dress up and Discussions
Kaleigh spent several more moments in the bathtub to make sure the door wouldn't open again. She rose slowly and stepping quickly she dripped a trail of water over to the bed where a rough towel had been left by a serf who had bustled through on the way to do something else. She wrapped the towel around herself, shivering at the cold air against her damp skin. Afsati pounced on her foot and she laughed as he ran to the bed, beginning to chew on one of the four wooden posts.
"You're going to get us into even more trouble." she scolded as she bent to pick him up. The pup squirmed, his warm pink tongue licking some of the moisture from her face. "Thanks." she grimaced and bent to place him back on the ground with one last rub. She quickly towel dried her body, snatching the towel tightly around her when a commotion sounded outside the door. A knock sounded at the door. "Who is it?" Kaleigh asked warily.
"Fulcinia."
Kaleigh breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh, come in."
The Roman woman quickly entered and shut the door, "What happened? I heard yelling and I just had to chase several of those knights away from the door."
Kaleigh shrugged and rolled her eyes, "The boys came in the room while I was bathing."
Fulcinia's eyes widened, "How inappropriate. One would think that they could try to be civilized for one of their own at least. They are all so barbaric. It's a wonder a pretty girl like yourself is, or feels safe, with them."
Kaleigh's eyes narrowed, "Fulcinia, I am grateful for your hospitality, but I ask that you refrain from speaking so on matters you know nothing about. The knights are good men. They have faults, yes, as do we all. But that does not mean that I will stand idly by while others speak poorly of them. Their coming in here was my fault. I invited them in here during a moment of absentmindedness."
Fulcinia blushed, "Of course. Please, forgive me. I, I, you're right of course. The only stories I know of your friends are the ones I here from the guards and serfs."
Kaleigh nodded and the two stood in silence for a minute. Kaleigh rubbed her hands up and down her bare arms before pulling the towel even tighter to her, beginning to shiver. She sniffed and looked up at Fulcinia again, noticing a bundle of dark blue fabric in her arms, "What's that?" she asked curiously.
The older woman smiled, "It's a dress." she held it our for Kaleigh to take, "It is to large for me, but it should fit you correctly." she smiled and Kaleigh adjusted the towel higher up her chest, "Trust me, it's not always a joy." Kaleigh assured her.
"I did not think you would be able to wear your torn clothes again and I did not know if you had any others." Fulcinia said, motioning for Kaleigh to take the dress.
Kaleigh took the dress carefully. It was soft yet sturdy. And there was so much of it, yet it seemed to weigh less than the crumbled dress in her saddle bags. Surely this was of very high quality, much to nice for her to take.
"Fulcinia, I can't borrow this, it-"
"Not borrow, keep." Fulcinia interrupted lightly.
Kaleigh looked at Fulcinia in surprise, "I couldn't. This is much to nice an article for me. It's, it's too, pretty."
Fulcinia waved her hand, "I shall never fill it out correctly and therefore will never wear it. If you don't take it, it will be left for the Saxons to claim."
Kaleigh smiled slightly, "Well, in that case."
"Go." Fulcinia pointed to the dressing screen encouragingly, "Try it on."
Kaleigh slipped behind the screen and quickly finished towel drying her body and hair. She quickly pulled the fabric over her head, pulling her long tangled hair out of the inside. She couldn't get to the laces in the back and peeked around at Fulcinia. "Um, could you-"
The other laughed, "Oh, I forgot. Here." Kaleigh came forward as she was motioned and turned her back. Kaleigh's eyebrows knit together as Fulcinia continued to pull the dress tighter and tighter at the waist.
"That's tight enough." she interjected, "Any more and I won't be able to breath when I ride."
Fulcinia huffed, "The dress is suppose to be tight. It's a proper lady's dress."
Kaleigh glanced over her shoulder, "That may be true, but I'm no proper lady, and these aren't proper times if you'll recall."
Fulcinia nodded, "Very well." She finished tying the back and turned Kaleigh to face her. Kaleigh was a little self conscience under the perusing look. Fulcinia looked up and smiled, "Come, I'll do your hair."
Kaleigh wanted to resist. Opened her mouth to say no, but the strong hand on her wrist dragging her over to the chair cut off any choice she had in the matter. She sat carefully, minding her leg. She felt Fulcinia messing about with her hair and pinched her face in pain when the woman began to drag a bone comb through it. "Ow. Ow." she murmured.
"If you can take a slice in the leg like you did, brushing your hair should be a trifle." Fulcinia said off handedly.
"Ai," Kaleigh muttered through gritted teeth, "but the cut was quick and clean. This is slow torture."
Fulcinia's hands paused, "You don't know what real torture is."
Kaleigh started to turn back to face the woman but she began brushing again, forcing Kaleigh to sit still once more. It took only a couple minutes for Fulcinia to work out all of the tangles and snarls in the hair and soon it fell like a long, brown silk curtain. Albeit a wet one. Fulcinia began to part and pull at different sections of hair and Kaleigh jerked her head out of her hands. When she turned to face the woman, Fulcinia had a genuinely surprised look on her face.
"I'm sorry. But really, I can't have anything fancy or proper in my hair. It wouldn't do to have the others thinking I've gone soft."
Fulcinia nodded, "A simple braid then."
Kaleigh turned around, enjoying the feeling of having the older woman playing with her hair. Closing her eyes she could almost imagine she was back at home with her mother, sitting in front of a fire. Then Fulcinia stopped, bringing Kaleigh back to the present. Several moments later, she came around in front of Kaleigh, two jars manifesting in her hands.
Kaleigh eyed them carefully, "What's that?"
Fulcinia dipped a finger in one jar and it came out with a black substance on it, "Kohl, now hold still." Kaleigh's eyes widened and she moved to turn her head away, but Fulcinia grabbed her chin firmly with her clean hand and held it in place. She swiped the liquid around Kaleigh's eyes forcing her to close them at one point. Eyes still closed, Kaleigh felt something brush across her lips and her eyes jerked open as her head jerked back. She saw Fulcinia had a bit of red stuck to one finger and had the sinking feeling she had just had stain added to her lips. Fulcinia beamed down at Kaleigh who looked at the woman reproachfully.
"This started out with a simple dress." Kaleigh said quietly, ""how did you manage to get kohl and stain on me as well?"
Fulcinia chuckled, "Would you like to see?"
Kaleigh chewed her bottom lip, "Might as well be prepared for the teasing that's to come."
Fulcinia nodded to a corner of the room where a table sat. Kaleigh rose stiffly, her leg protesting having to move, the stitching pulling slightly at the surrounding skin. She made her way slowly to the table and saw that next to it, hidden by a dark cloth which she moved aside, was a tall mirror leaning against the wall. It took a second for her eyes to adjust to the dimmer light of the corner but when she did her mouth dropped open.
Fulcinia had been right about the dress. The dress was a simple long sleeved dress but it was the way it fit her. The blue fabric hugged against her torso, the low neckline showing off a hint of her cleavage despite the band she had put back on to bind her chest. The skirt of the dress attached slightly below her midriff, making her look even taller and slimmer. The skirt flowed around her as she shifted and Kaleigh picked up a handful of the fabric, surprised that her legs remained completely covered despite it.
Fulcinia's image appeared behind her in the mirror, "I saw that you rode astride when you arrived. I figured this would be far more proper. Though I must tell you that riding when you're leg is not healed will not do good."
Kaleigh ran her hands down her body, smoothing the fabric, "It's not like there is much other choice." she snorted in amusement, "And I've ridden with worse. As long as it doesn't gain infection I'll live."
She looked back to her image and for the first time in several years she got a good look at herself. She had matured. The kohl outlined her eyes, making them look big and even bluer than usual. Several wisps of hair had escaped her braid and lay framing her face. Whatever Fulcinia had put on her lips had stained them a deep red, making her skin look tanner. She looked like, well like one of her Amazonian ancestors. Proud and strong and beautiful.
But that was only the surface, and Kaleigh looked harder at herself. The last time she had seen her face it had still been soft, her eyes had held a light and hopefulness in them. A trust that in the end, everything would work out for the best, that her brother would come home and they would all live happily ever after. Now though, she knew that there was no such thing as happily ever after. She was surprised at how hard the lines of her face had become as she looked at herself. She looked tired, her eyes were weary and wary. They held a steeliness, for she knew now that the world was kill or be killed, there was no place in the life she had lived for mercy. Her scar was pale against her otherwise tan skin. Her lips, once permanently curved into a soft smile, were straight now, slightly chapped from the wind and the sun's effect. Her brow had soft lines in it from all her nights of staying up and worrying about how she and the others would fend for themselves and when their next battle would come. She knew she was still considered beautiful by others, but in her eyes all she saw when she looked at herself was a bone deep exhaustion and a darkness that stemmed from inside her, but perhaps that part was only visible to herself.
She turned away from her image and sighed, not disgraced, but saddened by what she had become.
Fulcinia however mistook her expression, "I'm sorry. I thought you looked very nice. If it's displeasing I can change it. I-"
Kaleigh shook her head, cutting the other off, wishing to put her at ease, "It's not that. For the first time in my life I'm afraid to get dirty." Kaleigh asked any gods that were listening to forgive her for the lie, "Thank you."
Fulcinia smiled in return, "Well, just remember, you must take it easy or your leg will not heal. Perhaps it will be easier to stay clean than you think."
Kaleigh smiled genuinely as the Roman woman bent to pick up Afsati who had been sniffing about at her feet, giving the pup a good ear scratch as she cradled him to her. "That's true. But, even if I attempt to stay out of trouble, this dress is much to fine to do all the traveling that we will be doing." She ran a hand over the material again, "It is so cold outside and liable to get even colder. I'm afraid it just won't be practical for our journey."
Fulcinia smiled, "You're right of course, but I think that your tunic and breeches would be much to distracting," her smile faltered, "especially for my husband and his men." she turned away quickly but Kaleigh saw the flit of fear that danced across the roman's eyes. Before Kaleigh could respond, Fulcinia had crossed to chest at the foot of the bed. After setting Afsati down she opened and began to rummage through the clothes that filled the chest. After a moment she pulled free a bundle of thick brown material. She stood and held it out for Kaleigh to see. It was another dress, with long sleeves, a low cut front, and a long full skirt.
"It use to be my riding dress." Fulcinia said, looking down at the dress with a small smile before glancing up at Kaleigh with a glint in her eye, "Mother never did like that father allowed me to ride astride, so she had several dresses made that were considered suitable. The skirt is full enough to cover your legs when riding astride, and this one had always been far to long for me, so it should be right for you. It might be old, but it's very warm."
Kaleigh looked at the dress for a moment, taking in the difference of hers and Fulcinia's body physiques. She would probably get more than several remarks from the knights, but she would be warm and fully clothed. It was her best option at the moment, so with a grateful smile she reached out and took the dress from Fulcinia.
Fulcinia laughed softly, "I should have thought of this dress before. Of course you can keep the blu-"
"Fulcinia!"
Kaleigh watched as Fulcinia's expression changed as if by magic. The confident gleam that had developed in the time she had been in the room was extinguished in moments, replaced with the timidness of a mouse. She began to wring her hands together, her eyes darting nervously from the door and back, "That's Marius." she whispered, "I have to go."
"Fulcinia!"
Kaleigh watched Fulcinia jump and begin to back quickly toward the door, "I'm so glad you liked the dress, but-"
"Fulcinia!"
This time the voice sounded as if it came from just down the hall and Fulcinia whipped the door open, "Good-bye."
With a soft click the door closed, leaving Kaleigh alone in the room, silently seething. She fought the urge to storm out the door and ram the male Roman through with her sword. Any man who treated his wife like he obviously did Fulcinia didn't deserve to still breathe.
She was pulled from her indecision by a slight tugging at the hem of her dress. She looked down to see Afsati playing amid the folds of the skirt, biting and clawing at the fabric. She scooped him up quickly, "Oh no you don't you little rascal. You can chew on anything but this dress," she scolded softly as her eyes rose once again to the door, It's best I do nothing. I've already caused enough chaos amid the Romans and the knights for today. She was pulled from her thoughts as Afsati began to growl and bark at his image in the mirror. She laughed and set him down, quickly stepping from the blue dress and into the brown one. Fulcinia was right, the dress is the perfect length for riding. She thought as she pulled on her boots.
She walked over to where her bags had been set against the wall and carefully folded the blue dress and placed it in her bag. She quickly strapped her sheathed sword and long dagger to the belt on her hip. One of her throwing knives slid into its sheath on her left forearm, hidden by the brown sleeves, her second dagger slid down into her boot and her smaller throwing knife nestled safely sheathed against the outside of her right thigh. She swung her bow and quiver over her shoulder and tucked Afsati under her arm. She grabbed the packs and made her way out the door.
She was surprised at the hustle that surrounded her. Everywhere Roman servants, in dingy, dirty robes, rushed about, packing belongings. She stopped one young girl and asked how she could get to the stables. The girl shouted the answer back over her shoulder as she scurried down the hall. Kaleigh followed the girls confusing instructions which had sounded a little like, "Left, right, left, right, blah, blah." After making several wrong turns and having to backtrack Kaleigh found herself in the comfort of the stables.
"May we be of some assistance to you lady?"
She turned at the voice and saw two familiar figures seated on a bale of hay.
"Kaleigh?"
"Yes Gawain?" she couldn't help smirking at the look on his face.
"You look like a lady."
She rolled her eyes, "Well, I am a girl."
"I could see that upstairs." The idly spoken words were met by a sharp elbowing from the second figure.
Lancelot glared at the other knight, "Don't make me kill you."
Gawain rose with a laugh, "Well, then I believe I should take my leave. Before I say something that will incur either of your wraths."
As he walked by Kaleigh he playfully slapped her backside. She whirled, but he had already dashed out the door,
She rolled her eyes, "Men." she turned back to face Lancelot, whos expression could have rivaled Tristan's for blankness, "Are you still angry with me?" she questioned hesitantly.
The life flashed back into Lancelot's face, "What?"
"You look angry. Is that anger still for me?"
"No. I was just contemplating the many ways I was going to torture Gawain for touching you."
Kaleigh set Afsati and the bags down next to the bale, leaning her bow against the wall next to her. "Might I suggest pulling the hair out of his head strand by strand and then tying him from a tree by his toes?"
He scowled, "I already thought of that, only I was going to hang him by his fingers. Toes perhaps would be worse."
She nodded solemnly in agreement. They met each others gazes and burst into laughter.
"I have missed you brother."
"And I you Kali."
She sighed at her childhood name, "Must you call me by that still?"
"Of course not. Only so long as you don't call me Lancey anymore."
She screwed her face in thought, "Well, Kali's not so bad."
He laughed and threw an arm around her waist pulling her to him for a hug.
"I'm glad you no longer wish me dead." she confided, her voice muffled as her face was buried in his shoulder.
He pulled back and looked down at her shocked, "Kill you?"
She nodded, "Ai, for coming on this mission. I know you wish that I had stayed behind."
He moved his arm to her shoulder and squeezed, "I do wish that you had stayed behind. But I could never wish you dead. You are my baby sister. All I wish is for you to remain safe. Last night all I could picture was you crying over the body of the first dead deer I brought home. You were so upset by it then, so fragile and young still. I just wished to spare you pain. And I can assure you now, there will be much pain on this trip."
She laid her head on his shoulder, "It means so much that you wish so strongly for my safety." She paused, considering her words, "But Lancey, you must realize that I am no longer that young fragile girl. I have seen things," she glanced down to the ground, "and done things, that killed that girl you once knew, leaving me in her place." she chuckled, "Now I am the one that shoots down the deer." She moved her eyes back to meet Lancelot's face, "It's no longer in me to sit idly by, I have to join in the fray. Something in me pulls me too it."
He sighed, "It will take me time to realize how much you have changed Kali, and even more to accept it. But, seeing you earlier has certainly eased my worries for your safety. You fought well. How's your leg by the way?"
She rubbed her thigh, "Sore." she grinned mischievously, "You think I thought well?"
He laughed and pulled away so he could face her better, "You know you fought well. I have never seen Romans look so shocked. Nor been so proud of anyone. The only other person I have seen fight with such accuracy is Tristan. You two are alike."
"Not so much."
He nodded, "True. Tristan lives for the kill, you don't."
She ducked her head and mumbled.
"What?" he asked.
She looked up to his eyes again, "I said quite the opposite." His brow furrowed in confusion. "Tristan doesn't live for the kill as much as you think."
He shook his head, "Kali, I have known Tristan for close to fifteen years. He-"
"Did he kill anyone today?" she asked, cutting him off. Lancelot paused to think before shaking his head. "He had many opportunities, including when he threw the knife at Gaius. You know how accurate he is with daggers better than I. Why do you think he didn't?"
"It was not the time or place for killing." Lancelot answered, wanting to see where she was going with this.
"I killed a man today." her voice held no remorse or any other emotion. "The one that attacked you. I could easily have disabled him from harming you, but I didn't. I made the choice to aim for his heart."
"Kali, you're not a cold blooded murderer."
"Cold blooded, no. I killed that man from necessity. If I hadn't killed him, it's possible he would have been a danger to all of us later. Cowards always are." Lancelot opened his mouth to interrupt but she held up her hand to stop him, "Perhaps all I am saying is that, Tristan kills from necessity as well. If the men he engages do not fall by his sword then they live to hurt or kill again." She smiled sadly, her eyes glazing as she thought back, "Perhaps he feels the same rush I do when he kills. Not a rush of pleasure, but power. There is no greater power than that of holding another's life in your hands. As twisted as it may be, I almost relish the kill now. I no longer feel anything when I kill, it is a necessity of my life. I have excepted that as such, perhaps that makes me weak. But with every man I kill I ensure that there is one less person to hurt those I love. I have seen to much pain Lancelot."
Lancelot stared at her for several seconds, "But Kali," he argued, "I have seen Tristan kill for the sure pleasure of it. He-"
"Lancey." she stood to her feet, limping slightly, "I can see another argument in the formation. A stupid one, but still an argument. We've only just been reunited after 15 years. I have no wish to argue with you."
He nodded, "Nor I with you. But we will discuss these things you speak of, later though."
She sat back down, leaning against him again, "So, tell me of your journey, that you ended up with Arthur at the wall." he hesitated and she shoved his shoulder with her own, "Come on."
"There is not much to tell." he said with a shrug, but she looked at him expectantly and he chuckled, "Fine. I'll tell you. After they took me from the tribe, the Romans wandered for only one more week through Sarmatia, taking boys from any village they came across. Then they turned us toward Rome and we arrived there within near two weeks of constant traveling. They put us into a giant dormitory and we were told that we would stay there until the others joined us. Within a week, the knights you know plus 29 others were brought to the dormitory. They accessed our fighting skills and those of us who were already knowledgeable were told that we would be leaving within the week for Briton, to be stationed at the wall. It took us several days to make the coast at a brisk pace and then we spent 5 long days aboard a ship. Several of the horses came down with disease and died, forcing some of us to ride double, which also meant that we had to travel slower. After 5 days, we all got our first sight of Hadrian's wall. We were introduced to a man named Cosantine, who told us he would be our commander until Arthur gained the experience needed."
Lancelot chuckled, "Arthur was more than a little nervous about meeting us, but Cosantine insisted that he train with us. We were introduced to the other knights that were still stationed there and they began to train us. Our first mission was against Woads two weeks later and 5 of the boys that had come with me were killed. After that we all threw ourselves into training, realizing that this hell we found ourselves in was no dream as we had hoped. Cosantine was killed 9 ½ years ago and Arthur has been leading us since. We stopped gaining reinforcements 2 years before that and have continued to fight until all that were left was us that you know. I have seen only one knight gain his freedom in these 15 years and we were informed that his ship sank in a storm on his way home."
"I'm sorry brother." she whispered, laying a comforting hand on his forearm.
"There is no need. This is simply the life I hav- OW!" he jerked his foot up and back and Kaleigh saw little tooth marks on the leather of his boot. She looked over the edge of where she sat to see Afsati staring at her, waging his tail happily.
She bent and picked him up, "You little rascal." He gave a small bark before trying to lick her, making her laugh. "Well, you have my forgiveness, but it's Lancelot's you need to be asking for."
Her brother shook his head, "What is it about you that has made that fleabag attach to you so quickly?"
She shrugged and cuddled Afsati to her, teasing his nose with a piece of straw. He snapped at the straw and his little teeth connected with her hand. She shook it with a grimace.
"Why do you keep him?"
"Because it is my fault he's alone. Last night when I wandered off into the woods I was stalked by two wolves. Tristan killed them to protect me. Then this morning, when Bors carried this little scrap into camp I knew somehow that he was alone. Plus he likes me. And he's adorable."
Lancelot smiled, "Well, just don't ask me to ever watch the lit-"
"Kaleigh."
Both looked up, "Yes Arthur." she answered as the Roman commander stepped before them. She patted the bale of hay and scooted closer to Lancelot, "Would you like to speak with me?"
"First, how is your leg?" Arthur asked as he sat next to her, reaching out to pat Afsati on the head as the pup sniffed in his direction.
She shrugged, "Soon, it will be just another scar."
"I'm glad that you're alright. I know most of what happened from questioning the Roman guard, Spurius. Lancelot and Tristan told me about the fighting, but what I would like you to tell me is how this all started."
"I think he means 'What did you do?'"
She smiled sarcastically at her brother, "Believe it or not, this wasn't my fault. I turned Valdeer loose once the rest of you entered the villa. I left the girl, Laelia, to watch Valdeer, Afsati and my bags, then went to help with the old man you cut down Arthur. While I was in the hut the little girl came and told me that the Romans had taken my belongings and horse. I immediately went after them and entered the courtyard to see Gaius whipping Valdeer. I knocked into him and demanded he give me back my horse. He refused, making several lewd comments, until Spurius intervened and only the did he finally give me my reins. When Spurius went to retrieve my other belongings Gaius began pestering me again. He called me a wench and grabbed my ass, so I hit him." she smiled at the memory, "I hit him rather hard in fact. Anyways, after that he called for Cassius and Brutus to come help him with me. Brutus was one of the unconscious ones and Cassius was the one who did this." she explained quickly, her hand gesturing to her thigh. "They managed to pin my hands to my sides and then Gaius hit me several times. Spurius tried to stop them and the other Romans attacked him. I was pissed, so I freed myself and began to fight back. And that's pretty much how my version goes."
Arthur nodded, "And the dead Roman?"
"Oh Arthur, do you truly want the truth about that?" she asked with a smirk.
"As long as you assure me it was in self defense-" she nodded, "then I know all that I need to know. Unfortunately, that Roman was apparently very well liked among the others."
"No accounting for taste." she grumbled before smiling apologetically.
He nodded, "His death has made you very unpopular."
"I don't like them either." she grumbled.
"You mean her kicking their asses didn't make her unpopular?" quipped Lancelot proudly.
"I think it was both. Tristan and Spurius have also found themselves unloved here. Tristan is out scouting right now to avoid any further conflicts. I want you to take Spurius with you and join up with Tristan. If you were able to follow us through that storm, I have no doubt you'll be able to follow after him."
Jols led Valdeer out of a stall and Spurius walked out of a different stall, leading his own large chestnut gelding.
Her mouth dropped open and Afsati licked her. She wiped her face with her sleeve, "You're sending me away?"
He nodded, "I wish I did not have to, but Marius demands justice."
"Justice to me is castrating him and his men."
Arthur sighed, "All the same, it would be best if you were not around until we are on the trail back."
Kaleigh's shoulders slumped slightly, "Very well. To avoid causing more pain to already damaged egos, I will go into the woods to scout with Tristan until you leave this place."
"And you'll take Spurius with you."
Kaleigh raised an eyebrow, " You want me to play babysitter?" Arthur leveled his gaze at her, "Fine, I'll take him, but don't expect me to be in a cheerful mood about it."
"You know you'll have fun Kali."
She whirled to her brother, " And why don't you have to go?"
"Because I didn't stab, kill or betray anyone." Spurius flinched at the last.
She scoffed, "It's all in the details isn't it." She glanced down at Afsati, who was contentedly chewing on her finger, before grinning sadistically up at her brother again, "If I'm leaving, then I charge you with Afsati's care." She thrust the wolf into her astonished brothers arms and rose to go to her horse, smoothing a hand tenderly down his neck, mindful of the cleaned cut in his neck. She halted, puzzled, "Why is there a saddle there?"
"Doesn't a saddle go on a horses back?" asked Spurius confused.
She shot him a glare as Arthur answered, "We borrowed it."
Jols finished attaching her bow, quiver and bags to the saddle. He nodded to her, "All ready to go milady."
"Don't call me lady anything." she said distractedly before addressing Arthur again, "You want me to ride in a Roman saddle?"
"Dagonet said that it would make it easier on your wound. And it belonged to the dead Roman, so it will get no use from him. Please Kaleigh, just use it."
She jumped onto her horses back, hiding the cringe as her wound jostled, mentally scolding herself for finding the saddle so comfortable, "It'll do." she turned and Valdeer began to prance under her, anxious to be away from that place, as she waited for Spurius to mount. She glanced at Lancelot and smirked. He was struggling to hold Afsati, who was growling and wriggling, "Have fun Lancey." she cooed, heeling Valdeer into a gallop before he could respond.
Author's Note: Alright, there you go. The next chapter. This story is officially over 100 pages long. I'm amazed at myself. But you know what'd I love? Is if you would just push the little bluish button and leave me a review! Cause anything helps and it all encourages!
SO REVIEW PLEASE!