Chapter 13
The rain had stopped by the time the sun had set. Nailah had sat with the Sarmatians for hours, listening to their stories. She discovered that Bors, Tristan and Bors brother, Dagonet, who had passed during the Saxon incursions, came from the far eastern territories of Sarmatia, where Galahad, Gwain and Lancelot came from the southern territories.
Guinevere shared her past as well, as the daughter of Merlin, the leader of the Woads, she was a prize for Marius to keep in his dungeon. She would have been the sacrifice that held Marius' place in heaven, where, she herself sent him after a scuffle broke out the morning after her rescue by Arthur. Marius' men had ambused Dagonet in his sleep, threatening to kill Lucan, a young boy Dag had rescued from the dungeons and sort of adopted as his own.
And the stories of the great Artorious Castus, born of both Roman and Briton blood. His father Ortorious Castus, a Roman commander had died in battle, his place taken over by Pelagious, a Roman minister. His mother, whom was killed during a Woad attack on their village when Arthur was only a boy, not long after he began his training as commander of the legendary knights, was of Briton blood.
As the fires died down and the days travel started to take it's toll on many, including Nailah herself, who was dozing peacefully on Galahad's chest as he absently toyed with a few strands of her hair that had fallen loose from their clips.
"Well knights, I bid you all good night!" Arthur replied as he rose from his seat, giving a long stretch.
"Aye, G'night Arthur!" Bors replied as he headed for his tent, "Ye might want to be gettin' that lass a more comfortable bed, lad!" He nudged Galahad as he passed.
"Yes, I think your right!" He replied, gazing sleepily down upon his sleeping beauty. Carefully he lifted her in his arms as she wrapped an arm around his shoulders and cuddled her face into the crook of his neck.
Choosing his footing carefully, he headed towards Nailah's tent. Laying her on the bed, he unclasped her damp cloak and removed her boots, gently pulling the blankets around her. Kissing her forehead, he went to leave when Nailah's hand clasped his wrist, Galahad turned back to her,
"Don't go, please stay?" She asked, eyes half shut, but he could still see their beautiful brown orbs sparkling through.
He sat on the bed beside her, twining his fingers with hers, not quite sure what to do or why she wanted him to stay.
Before his behind had completely set on the mattress, she pulled him down to her, sliding over in the small bed and cuddling close to him, soaking up the warmth that poured from him. When she had gotten comfortable, she let out a content sigh, a smile played on her lips.
Galahad laughed to himself, smiling down at her serene features. "Sweet dreams my love!" He whispered into the top of her head.