Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in this story who came from the King Arthur movie. I do own Kaleigh and whatever other characters my mind whips into existence though.
Author's Note: Because it's been so long since I updated, I'm reposting this chapter as a kind of 'refresher'.
Chapter 13: North or South?
Kaleigh galloped out of the gate, past the village and packing Romans, and straight to the woods. As soon as she had reached the cover of the trees she pulled Valdeer to a stop and waited for Spurius to catch up. As he came near she called out to him, "Where did he go?"
"Who?" Spurius asked as he came to a stop next to her.
"Tristan, who else?" Spurius continued to stare blankly at Kaleigh, "Which direction did Tristan go scouting?" She turned in her saddle to stare at him directly and her face fell when he shrugged, "What do you mean?" she asked mimicking his shrug, "You don't know?" Spurius shook his head, making Kaleigh sigh.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She turned back around and nudged Valdeer forward along the perimeter of trees, her eyes on the ground, "I assumed, incorrectly, that you had seen where he had gone when he left. If I had known you hadn't, I would have started tracking from the gate, instead of coming here. It was a foolish mistake and now I'll just have to follow the tree line until I find his tracks."
"You can do that?" Spurius asked in awe.
She shrugged, "It's simple tracking."
"Yes, but I meant, who would have taught you, a woman, to track?"
Valdeer jerked to a halt as Kaleigh whipped around in her saddle, eyes narrowed, "My father and many other great men taught me. And if you make a comment like that again about my being unable to do things well because I am a woman, remember, no one will hear your screams out here." she smirked as he gulped and turned Valdeer into the woods.
"Did you find his tracks?" questioned Spurius.
"No, but Tristan would went North."
"You know this how?"
"It's what I would have done."
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Spurius called as he ducked a branch and steered his gelding to follow on Valdeer's tail.
"Do you know any other, quicker way through these woods?"
He shook his head until he realized she couldn't see him, "NO."
"Then through the woods we go." They rode in silence for several minutes, he concentrating on the prickly brush that seemed to reach out and grab him, and her, keeping her eyes sharply on the ground, scanning for any signs. After a while, Kaleigh broke the silence, "Spurius. That means 'illegitimate child' does it not."
Spurius immediately grew wary, "How do you know the meaning of Roman names?"
"I have spent time in Romans." was all she offered as explaination, "Why would your parents name you that?"
"They didn't."
Kaleigh ducked a branch and glanced back at him, "Then why do they call you that?"
"Because my father died before I was born."
"How did he die?" she asked curiously.
"He was killed in battle."
Kaleigh glanced back, this time staring hard at Spurius' horse. "For being Sarmatian one would think you would have understood a woman tracker." Spurius' eyes widened in shock as he looked at her making her laugh, "Don't look so surprised. Your horse has the lines of a Sarmatian plains horse. Your Sarmatian as well. At least your father was."
Spurius sighed and nodded, "My father was a Sarmatian knight, my mother was a upper class Roman. When my father was killed, a Roman senator, a friend of my Roman grandfather, took pity on my pregnant mother and married her."
"Well, if you were raised Roman why are you not in a garrison close to home. If your father was noble, surely they would give you allowances."
"He was not my father." Kaleigh was surprised at the harshness in Spurius' voice, "I volunteered as a Sarmatian."
Her head snapped back to look at him, a branch smacking across her face, drawing a thin line of blood, "You volunteered."
He nodded, "I am a Sarmatian. At least half of me. I did not think it fair that I not serve as well."
Kaleigh slowed down further, allowing her to watch the ground and surroundings and still converse with Spurius, "You are strange." They rode in silence a while longer, "I have two questions for you. Where does your loyalty lie: Sarmatia or Rome? And, why would you volunteer for one such as Marius?"
Spurius thought about it, "When my mother's husband found out that I had volunteered myself as a Sarmatian knight he pulled several strings to get me placed with Marius. He knew I would be relatively safe, thus keeping my mother happy, and that I would be bullied and punished by Marius' men, thus getting back at me for choosing my Sarmatian side over my Roman. That I suppose answers both your questions."
Kaleigh made no sign that she had heard him. She leant forward to study the ground closer. The tracks of several bare feet mingled among the leaves beneath her. She pulled Valdeer to a stop and dismounted, bending to shift some of the leaves and get a closer look. They were Woad tracks, relatively fresh. But why were they there? She closed her eyes, willing the forest to reveal the answer to her. She sighed, all she heard was the sounds of birds and squirrels chattering in the creaking trees, "What is your Sarmatian name?" she whispered.
Spurius hesitated a moment, " Palomides. But-"
A twig snapped and she raised her hand to silence him. She remounted slowly and drew her bow, notching an arrow, looking up as three blue men emerged from the shadows. Spurius moved forward to put himself between them and Kaleigh but a look from Kaleigh had him stopping next to her right side instead, sword ready. The two groups studied each other before one of the Woad men stepped forward. He began speaking in his native language and Kaleigh nodded her head, trying to hold back her laughter. When the men stopped talking she just smiled at him.
"If this leader of yours is as smart as they say, surely he would have sent someone I could understand."
Another Woad appeared from the brush to their immediate left and she sweeped the bow to put the man in her sights. Palomides glanced around nervously for more intruders as Kaleigh began addressing the Woad her bow was trained on.
"What is it Merlin wishes now? More riddles?"
The Woad ignored her sarcasm, "The Saxons are to the north and south of you now."
Kaleigh raised an eyebrow, "Well, aren't you just the bearer of good news. And tell me, why should I believe you?"
"There is a trail to the east, through the mountains."
She scoffed, "And I suppose Merlin expects us to take it."
The Woad nodded, "He promises safe passage."
"Why should we believe you?" hissed Palomides, finding his tongue.
The Woad shot him an annoyed look, "You are Roman. You follow a man who tortures and kills those not like himself. Why should we believe you when you say you are leaving here and yet you remain?"
Kaleigh looked at Palomides in shock, "Marius tortures?"
Spurius looked shocked, "He takes people into the hut that disappears underground, but I know not what goes on in there. Only his most trusted are allowed."
She shook her head in disgust, "You will return to Arthur and tell him of this travesty."
He looked at the four Woads warily, "It's not safe to be alone."
"Merlin won't let any harm befall my friends, especially if he expects me to do whatever he wants me to do." I glanced over at the Woads again, "Isn't that right?"
The Woad nodded but Palomides opened his mouth to protest more and Kaleigh cut him off, leveling him with a glare that made him shrink back as her voice dripped with ice, "You will do as I say Spurius. You will return to Arthur and tell him for you do not wish to be in my presence now."
The coldness in her voice drove Spurius to turn his horse around and hesitantly head back the way they had come.
When he was gone she turned back to the Woads, "I'm must ask, why has Merlin let me go twice?"
"Merlin doesn't wish it. He also commanded me to tell you where the dark scout has gone." Kaleigh waited expectantly for him to continue. He pointed in a direction opposite the one she was taking, "Go that way. He has circled around to the south. If you go straight that direction you will find his trail soon."
Kaleigh glanced in the direction he pointed and when she turned back the four Woads had disappeared. "Well that was rude." she mumbled. She argued within herself over whether or not to trust his directions and reluctantly turned Valdeer the way he had pointed.
"I've got nothing to lose."
Authors Note: Please Review!