Katemary77
Thanks! The knights aren't here. They won't be until Bandon Hill. But it will be worth the wait I promise.
Chiefhow
I reckon Cynric needs to die. Thank god I'm sticking to the story! I'm glad you didn't mind the last chappy. I thought it was rushed!
DevonshirelassI really wanted to show just how much the couple loved each other! This chapter isn't so much on the emotions but it has plot progression!
Je suis une pizza
I am more than happy with Para you wrote it was a great review. I'm glad you liked the emotions in the last chappy and I agree that I've never really showed the couples love for each other!
Mustang GalI'm a bit of a romantic lol so I manage to stick nice moments in!
Disclaimer: uh huh!
Warning
BURN"He resents you," Ardiath informed Cedric cautiously. Cedric stood considering what the woman said.
"I knew that. What else can you tell me?"
"He still wants to make you proud," Ardiath addressed all this to the side of the tent. Her hands deep within the pockets of her coat. She turned the knife over and over in her hands. Feeling the cool steel against her hot hands infused her with a sagacity of power. Ardiath had never stolen anything in her life but she had stolen this knife from the ground. It filled her with resolve so when the time came she might use it to end a few of these Saxons moments on earth.
"I knew this also. What good are you?" Cedric cunningly remembered what had occurred when he last questioned her this way. She had flown into a rage and struck him. Ah such delight to see the woman snap. Ardiath didn't take the bait.
"Well how else are you going to get any information? In case you haven't noticed there are no other women among this camp. Are you going to use your second in commands? I cannot see that working for some reason," Ardiath's voice was flat but there was a charming tang of wit. Ardiath waited for the wrath of Cedric but remained confident in the point she had made. Cedric surprised her by chuckling slowly.
"You are quite right, girl!"
Ardiath didn't answer but stared straight ahead, her body rigid! Cedric could see that she had rebuilt her defenses and it would take another plan of attack to make her yell again. He slowly circled her. Ardiath watched him warily out of the corner of her eye. He moved behind her and lifted a lock of her black hair. Cedric wondered what the woman would look like clean and preened.
"When was the last time you washed?" He asked near her ear. Ardiath gave a slight ascension of her shoulders in a tiny shrug.
"Approximately?" He lowered his voice slightly. Ardiath narrowed her eyes before answering.
"Before you came and ruined my village," Ardiath hadn't thought of that fact for a while. The first few days she resented being dirty and grimy but she had accepted it. Besides in such an army she was no worse.
"I would like to see you washed," Cedric told her. Ardiath was confused now. Where was Cedric leading with this?
"When we get to the Roman villa you use their baths," Cedric commanded. He paused and wrapped his arm around her body, "then come to my tent."
Ardiath ripped herself from his arms and turned to stare at him. To Cedric's satisfaction the animalistic glint had entered her eyes.
"Pardon?" Ardiath asked very slowly. Her voice neither shook with fear nor held any doubt. It was steady and Cedric knew well that she had heard perfectly the first time.
"Wash and then come to my tent," Cedric drawled insultingly over articulating every syllable.
"You are despicable," Ardiath snapped then exited the tent. Cedric leaned on the table. He had been so close to getting a rise from her! It amazed him that even in a situation like this she could leave a room like royalty. Must put her back in her place, Cedric thought.
Ardiath was furious on the inside but on the exterior she was cold. She didn't like that Cedric was the only one who could make her lose her temper. She could be raped by his son Cynric and not be affected. She could lie there completely numb but a conversation with his father sent her fuming.
She had an hour before the army would march again. She withdrew herself into her tent. She was shaking now. Cedric's words were sinking in and the fear was awakening with in her breast. She fumbled for the bucket of water and filled the wooden beaker with it. She traced the paths of water that ran down the outside and brushed the mud and grass off the bottom of the cup. She set it down and pulled out the small blade and examined it slowly. It was so small. She put it carefully back in its hiding spot and instead pulled the large knife.
Ardiath unsheathed it and turned it over so it caught the little glimmers of light that came from the rising sun. She lowered it the exposed skin on her wrist. She took a brief moment to scrutinize the scars and healing that covered the skin. Ardiath selected an unblemished part of her wrist and dragged the tip of the dagger across. It was hot and sharp. She watched the blood well up in the thin cut. Slowly the knife began moving. Carefully and calculated but Ardiath hardly seemed aware of the pattern she was cutting into herself.
As if the part of her controlling her hand knew when to stop, the knife fell from her hand. She looked down to inspect her arm. It was bloody and she couldn't see the scratches from where the blood oozed. She lowered a piece of sullied cloth into the water and gently washed the blood away. She winced as it stung the slashes.
The cuts, like angry ropes, became clear. After she had cleaned them blood immediately started trickling from them again but she could still see what was splayed across her arm. Ardiath gasped. Tristan. She snatched for the scarf and wrapped it around her wrist obscuring her view of the word. She slowly sank to her knees, ignoring the dirt and mud that clung to her and her clothes. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had to remain in control.
Ardiath tried not to think about it on the way to the villa and indeed it was banished from her mind for a short time when the villa had come into view. Ardiath had lived her life on the coast and her should was of the ocean. She never found much beauty in the forest. It was dark and oppressive and didn't seem to have any spirit or song. But the villa was nice. It was big and beautiful and the part of Ardiath that clung to her old life enjoyed the fantasy of living there. Ardiath entertained the idea of living in a home like this on the sea. Not having any obstructions and rules. Not having to live in terror. To not be ravaged each night.
The fantasy was broken by the voice of Cedric.
"Ardiath, don't you have something to do?"
Ardiath glared at him but turned obediently and went towards the villa. There was a servant still inside. Cedric had instructed her to wait and assist Ardiath. She led her towards the bath, which was feed by hot springs. Ardiath gratefully lowered her body into the steaming water. The maid provided her with cleaning tools. Ardiath debated the notion of not bathing just to contradict Cedric but decided against it since it was in her best interest to wash. She scrubbed the grim from her body and washed her hair. Ardiath forgot for a while the reason she was cleansing and lost herself in the pleasure of being sanitary.
Eventually she heaved herself out of the water and was confronted with a dress that was very Roman. Ardiath didn't find it to be in her style but she slipped it on nonetheless. Her own soiled rags were disposed of but her cloak was kept. Ardiath didn't let the cloak, which contained the knife out of her sight. Eventually she was finished and went outside the villa to where the Saxon army was congregating. Some of the village was already burning.
Ardiath tried not to look at the flaming houses and crops and instead searched for Cedric. She coughed as the smoke irritated the back of her throat. Her hair hung wet around her ears and tickled her neck. She saw Cedric and Cynric leaning over a table contemplating a map. Ardiath moved closer. She was so much aware of the unpleasant body odor of the Saxons now that she was clean and scented of flowers.
Cynric looked at her appraisingly and Ardiath contained a shudder. Cedric spared a quick glance to see if she had followed his orders. As much as she hated these two men it was the best place to be to gain any information and discover what was going on.
"Highness," One man ran up to address Cedric, "We found something."
Cedric glanced up and nodded indicating the man should lead and he would follow. Ardiath fell into step behind him and Cynric walked at her side. Cedric strode through the burning village with a purpose. Ardiath's heart gave a leap when Joachim ran up. He didn't even look at her before catching with Cedric.
"I found tracks coming from the south, but none going back. Horsemen, traveling light and fast. Could be Roman cavalry. Could be knights," He blurted out, rushed!
Cedric halted suddenly and turned to face his British scout, "They know we're after them."
Cynric narrowed his eyes. Ardiath's heart was pounding with joy. First the Roman family hadn't been here but the majority of the people had been evacuated as well. It meant fewer deaths she had to watch with a hard heart to escape guilt.
Joachim looked calm on the outside but secretly he was pleased as well. He had a suspicion it was Sarmatian knights and at this particular moment, as he watched the village burn, he could imagine nothing better than to see his brother again with his old companions ride down and slaughter Saxons.
The two commanders looked at the scout expectantly. Joachim sighed. He knew they would ask him this.
"They'll head east now. Through the mountains," Joachim reluctantly revealed the ideal route for the fugitives. There was a commotion and Ardiath swung her head round in the direction of the noise. She had just watched, disappointed, as Joachim reveled the direction of the British. It was monks. Being dragged by Saxons. He was sobbing and crying half hysterical.
"God's holy work! They defiled… I am a servant of God," The monk wailed feverishly. Ardiath pitied him. He looked upset. It didn't matter. The Saxons would be ending his misery soon, Ardiath thought hardening her heart. Joachim was staring at the monk with distaste. He knew the type. These were the ones who killed pagans. Joachim considered the appropriateness of spitting on the withering monk.
"He says they walled him up in a building and took the family. Someone who goes by the name of Artorius," The Saxon solider explained. Cedric looked quickly at Joachim whose eyes had widened.
"It's him, its Arthur," He spoke slowly. Ardiath looked sharply at her husband who pointedly avoided her eyes. The Arthur? He was her husband's commander once. That meant Tristan had been here as well. Her hand gripped her wrist tightly. The cuts hurt underneath her pressing fingers. Cedric was thinking swiftly. He faced Cynric who looked eager to kill something.
"Take your men east. Hunt them down. I'll take the main army to the Wall. Bring the family there," He decided. He paused and thought about it before turning to Joachim, "you go with him."
Joachim kept his face emotionless, "And the monks?"
"Put them back where you found them," Cedric replied without hesitation. Ardiath's stomach dropped, as she comprehended the fate of the men. The men began struggling and she turned helplessly as she watched them be heaved back. The leader was yelling desperately at the Saxons.
"I am a servant of God! I am a servant of God! I am…" The monk was silenced. Perhaps by a punch? Ardiath's mouth hung open slightly. The Saxons may have been killers but never had Ardiath seen them so cruelly put an end to a mans life. She fingered the knife in her coat. Joachim was watching with satisfaction. For a tiny fraction he agreed with the Saxons.
"Burn it all!" Cedric completed his vindictiveness. He strode away and Cynric followed to prepare his half of the army to leave. Joachim turned to his wife and slowly looked her over. He got a mischievous gleam in his eye.
"Hello," He said slowly and suggestively. Ardiath was confused for a second then remembered her new garb and hygienic state. She giggled shyly. He snaked one arm around her waist and pulled him tight to her.
"Hello to you too," Ardiath huskily replied.
"You make me feel less then adequate," Joachim joked gesturing to his filthy appearance.
"Yes you are quite grubby," Ardiath joked.
"You're beautiful," Joachim said his voice turning serious.
"Thank you," Ardiath accepted the compliment with a smile. They were trying to burry their feelings under humor. Ardiath didn't want to think about him leaving again but that was just what he would have to do. In fact Cynric chose that time to call out his march.
'I have to go," Joachim told looking into his wife's eyes.
"I know!"
Ardiath couldn't think of anything else to say to her husband. How could words come close to the emotions raging through her body? Joachim felt the same. He kissed her on the lips and then turned to leave. Ardiath watched that section of the army march out with a heavy heart. She only noticed Cedric's presence after Joachim had entirely left her sight.
"Come Ardiath," He said gruffly. Ardiath nodded emotionlessly. He left and Ardiath followed. Behind her the fire raged as everything descended into flames. Ardiath could only hope that her future was not going to be destructive flames like her past.
AN: I actually like this chappy for some reason! Well I have to go get ready. I'm seeing Constantine for the second time. I loved it heaps! Well toddles people and review. Oh just to clarify Cynric wants to use Ardiath's body and Cedric doesn't! He only said it to mess with her mind. For those people who are anxiously waiting the arrival of the knights… don't worry they will get here. It might not be for a few more chappy's but trust me… I'll make it worth the wait. I won't be updating till afterI update my Blade fic. Review please.
MD666