Disclaimer: I own nothing save characters not appearing in King Arthur. This story is not meant to insult, impugn the dignity of, or otherwise cause difficulty for the reader. Flames will be used to heat my house, constructive comments will be welcomed and used to improve the story.

Author's note: Thank you for continuing to read this story. I have to admit this is one of the most enjoyable fandoms that I have either read or written for, so all the feedback is welcome.

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VISIONS OF DEATH

Chapter Five: The Confession

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The sun rose pale and insipid over the mountains, only a pale glow of red painting the horizon to remind those below the sky that morning had come. The light in the camp was still gray in that half-morning hour.

Brigid lowered herself from the cart she had slept in, not surprised that Gueneviere had risen before she. Pulling the shawl tighter she started towards the campfires. The fires themselves had burned themselves almost out but a little prodding with a stick and the embers soon came back to life. She put an iron pan of water above the flames, staring into the coals as they heated the water. She dropped herbs into the water, stirring them with a stick. Soon the tea was to a boil and she poured it into a skin. She kicked snow into the fire, watching as the flames died.

They would cross the ice today, she knew. And her talents as healer, not as a seer, would be required. She rose, her shawl wrapped around her hand to allow her to lift the still hot pan. She stepped as quietly as she could towards the banked campfire that Marius and his men had camped around. She paused at the edge, holding the pan with two hands.

"Get him!" shrieked Marius as his men seized Dagonet, dragging him from the ground where he had slept, keeping watch over Lucan.

Lucan, startled awake, watched as a man much like his father was dragged away. "No!" he shouted.

Brigid's heart broke as she watched Lucan. She'd heard the boy cry after his parents in the dungoeon, and known that his first peace came with Dagonet. However, her sorrow turned to rage as Marius grabbed the boy. It did not help that she knew it would happen or the results.

"I have the boy!" shouted Marius, his blade at Lucan's neck.

Brigid held her breath as she saw Fulcina attempt to free Lucan. The push sending the Roman woman to the snowy ground summonded a growl from within her.

The mercenaries drew their swords, advancing on Dagonet. Her heart sped, though she knew the outcome.

"Get him!" shouted Marius.

The arrow suddenly winging across the snowy clearing stopped all movement. Marius looked down at the arrow piercing his heart, then dropped like a stone. Lucan ran towards Dagonet, who pushed the boy under the cart he'd previously been sleeping near.

"Down," ordered Dagonet. He reached into the cart and drew his sword, growling at the mercenaries.

Brigid looked across the clearing, meeting the eyes of Gueneviere as she notched another arrow.

"Your hands seem better," offered Lancelot with a smirk.

Gueneviere glared and shot an arrow at the mercenaries, the arrow sticking out of the snow at their feet.

Bors suddenly rode in and completed the tableau.

Brigid lowered the pan to the ground and looked up, now meeting the confused gaze of Dagonet. He still held the sword, still stood in his fighting stance, but it was obvious that the mercenaries were outmatched. Without the head of the snake, the body did not know what to do. The mercenaries dropped their swords and surrendered.

Brigid watched as Dagonet turned to Lucan and she herself quickly crossed to the boy. "Lucan, you are a brave boy," she whispered.

Dagonet grabbed her arm, pulling her from Lucan and hauling her against the wagon. "How did you know? Did he tell you his plans?" he grated out, his blue eyes searching her face for answers.

Brigid winced. Dagonet's hands were strong and they held her arms in an iron grip. "He told me nothing," she ground out, willing Dagonet to believe her. "I saw his death, just as I have seen yours, Tristan's and Lancelot's," she bit out, her anger getting the best of her.

Dagonet stepped back, stunned.

Brigid rubbed her arms and reached for Lucan, who was watching she and Dagonet with wide, fearful eyes. "I was sent to stop the Saxons, Dagonet. But your deaths plague me. I would not see them unless I could change them. And unless all can be stopped, none can be saved."

Dagonet gaped at the woman. "So if I die, all die?"

Brigid nodded, taking a step closer to the giant. "Aye, Dagonet. So before you decide to run onto an icy lake, axe in hand, to break the ice beneath the Saxons, remember that if you plummet into the icy water, three crossbow bolts in your body, and die, then so will Lancelot and Tristan," she warned, grey eyes flashing in the predawn light.

Dagonet slowly closed his mouth. "How do I know you tell the truth?"

Brigid sighed, rubbing her forehead as she called back the memory of future events, searching for details to prove her honesty to Dagonet. "On an icy lake, Arthur will have the caravan spread across the ice. The ice will start to break. The horses will become startled. The war drums will sound closer. Then Arthur will say 'Knights.'" She paused, her features strained as she summoned the details. "Then Bors will say, 'Well, I'm tired of running. And these Saxons are so close behind, my arse is hurting.'" She looked at the warrior before her, eyes pleading. "Do you wish me to continue? I can if it will prove this to you."

Dagonet shook his head. "If this does come to pass, what should I do?"

Brigid frowned. She was no tactician--she was a healer and a more than decent cook. She looked up. "Break the ice out of range of their crossbows. If you must cross the ice, then take a shield bearer to cover you."

Dagonet nodded thoughtfully. "And if it does not come to pass?" he asked with a slight smile.

Brigid blew out an exasperated breath. "Then---I will do whatever you ask of me," she promised heatedly, a flush rising in her cheeks. "By the Gods, I pray that I am wrong. I pray that I do not tend to a man with crossbow bolts piercing his body." She stepped closer and looked up at the giant, fixing him with an unreadable gaze. "Prove me wrong, brave knight."

TBC….

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To My Wonderful Reviewers:

Scottishgal12: Thank you! Glad you're enjoying the chapters. And, never fear, Merlin, though cryptic, always gets explained.

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