Standard Disclaimer: KA and the legends are soooo not mine. The craziness of the characters is the only thing I own. Bad Language, Violence and Possible Sexual Scenes Warning. Don't like it, don't read.
Wow, Chapter 9… I got to this one quick, or it could just be me. I'm not sure. Thanks for sticking with me and for all the reviews I've gotten they've been an awesome help.
Remember, any words spoken in Italics are supposed to be in English. And –italics- means actions during speech.
Promises, Swords and Servants
"Poppet?"
"Yes, Da'?" I shifted in my seat to face Finn. We had an early start this morning to Hadrian's Wall where Argon, Finn's brother, was the master of Raven Amory.
"Why did you insist that Lady Charity accompany us on this trip?" He asked me puzzled, "Correct me if I am wrong but did you not say how much you hate her?"
"I hate her, yeah… but it's complicated Da'. I mean really complicated." I had not told him about the pact I made.
Flashback
I missed it… dancing. I used to do it at any random moment before. I haven't danced for years and I was expected to dance for my cousin's birthday, I was to perform for a grand celebration but at least I wouldn't be by myself. Not like how I was this night and every night in the past few weeks.
I secured my "magic" iPod to my back pocket and played the Party playlist I created for the performance, the first dance was the sensually sharp Argentine Tango. Letting the music flow through me, I closed my eyes to the imaginary partner that "held" me in his arms. Humming to myself, I let the steps of the dance travel on the short grass of the clearing; because I had the music up loud I hadn't noticed that I had "visitors" until it was too late. Something hit the back of my head and all went black.
---
Sometime later I was rudely awaken by water (whether sanitary or not, I've no clue) to my face. "Sonuvabitch!" Sputtering I tried to shake the wet tendrils of hair from my face because I found my hands and feet were bound with vines.
I was no longer in my clearing, but in another surrounded by the deadly Woads I have come to fear. But that wasn't what really got me alarmed, oh no, it was more or less the fact that those Woads had their delightful spears and other pointy weapons directed at me… the tied up prisoner with no clue how to use a weapon let alone escape. Also I was in front of a "council" of Woads for some reason.
"You've got to be shitting me!" I exclaimed aggravated in English, which in turn was a bad move because the already threatening guards became scarier.
"Who are you?" one of the "council" stepped forward; he had wild graying hair, a heavily lined face and no idea of hygiene it seemed. I mean my older brother's two month old gym socks were probably a helluva lot cleaner than this guy.
The man repeated his question in his heavily accented Latin. Who wants to know, I thought, but the guards seemed more dangerous than I felt courageous.
"V-Victoria Azhar Ysolde Renaldi y Cortez." I stammered. Suddenly there was a flurry of conversation/yelling/pointing/more yelling and so on. All of it seemed geared towards me.
It wasn't until after all of that did they talk to me again. Merlin, the smelly old one, made everyone shut up before asking what I was doing in their forest. I refused to answer; he then asked where the other was and her name.
"Her name is Charity Godiva Templeton, if you're aiming to kill her be my guest. I doubt there is a person in this world who would love to see her demise." I replied hotly, "She lives in the tavern and enjoys being useless, bedding any available man and being a pain in my side."
"You have the chosen soul, but you are not the chosen one."
"What the fuckin' hell are you talking about?" I demanded, although I'm not sure why I did so in the first place. I wanted out, NOW.
As it turns out, Merlin had called a guiding spirit to lead his people, that guide was supposed to be Charity. However, through some cosmic mix-up, the guide was reincarnated in me while Charity just looks the part. Basically, I'm supposed be living her life in our time and she is supposed to have lived mine and brought back. Ooh and it gets better, because the cosmos fucked up by giving us the wrong lives and destinies I am the protector of the whoring she-bitch from everything/one whereas she completes her task as front-woman of some noble cause. I do all the fuckin' grunt work for the fucking plastic WHORE! I'M NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO FUCKING BE HERE GAAD DAMNIT!
"No, I won't do it." I stated simply when Merlin finished speaking. The rest of the Woads just stared at me slack-jawed. Apparently nobody in their right minds said 'no' to Merlin… I am nobody in my right mind! "I refuse to babysit that whore of a she-bitch just because you 'say so.' I have no loyalty to her, you or anybody else in this time. And you can't make me."
"You have no right to refuse… it is not so simple Victoria, time is against you. Time has stopped on you, things that were remain the same; your body should have the scars from the village but it does not, your items should be worn through but they are not. Your conception of time is no more as long as you are here. She has a destiny to fulfill and you have been pulled into it." I told him to go fuck himself and moved to leave; my restraints had long since been removed. "One cannot return without the other. She must complete her task, but you must be with her every step of the way, not before."
I bit my lip, "How long?"
"It is uncertain, the runes cast no answers."
"Oh, but they can tell you about my fucked up destiny?" I yelled, and then taking a deep breath to try and calm myself I tried another approach. "I'm supposed to wait for her to do whatever voodoo shit… do you realize that could take years? My family will think I'm dead, asshole! It's been six gawd-damned months since I was uprooted from my home! They've probably already got half the globe looking for me!" I was in hysterics, I missed my parents, my brother and sister, my friends, Sasha, my life and now I am forced to become a fuckin' handmaid for the most despicable being I have hated for years! Not to mention that I am probably gonna stay the same forever! Which, in its own right, could have its advantages and disadvantages, if you think about it.
Merlin offered me a boon for all I had to do. Constant protection for whatever dangers may come my way, guidance, no more attacks on any village I inhabited and the opportunity to learn magic if I so desired; those were his terms. I think they're getting the better of the deal, because I really don't have a choice and if I'm going to survive I will need as many allies as I could get, but that didn't mean I had to like my allies. He then gave me a pendant of black stone as a symbol of our agreement and my importance to the Woad people; it was roughly shaped like a guitar pick as well as light and thin like one too.
"This is Victoria, Protector of the Hope of Britain." He announced to the Woad people and they cheered enthusiastically. Shit.
End Flashback
"Yeah Da', it's very complicated," I reiterated with a half-smile. Finn seemed to accept my answer before turning back to the dirt road ahead of us. The next four days would be full of traveling to Hadrian's Wall with camping at night. Blech!
Finn and I were bringing my best metalworks I had made under his tutelage to show to his brother my capability as well as sell. Charity was given some fine cloth to either make clothes (yeah right!) or to sell to get her on her feet. We also had Trent and his sister Marion along with us on our trip to Hadrian's Wall. Trent was not only the boy determined to marry me, but he was also a hopeful to apprentice with Argon too. Marion was my only friend in Crest Hill especially after Milo, Lukas and Darren went back to Wren's Bend; she was the only female willing to speak with me in truly friendly terms. Both of them shared their parents' plain dark brown hair and eyes, they were quite ordinary in their looks; yet Marion's 13 year old mind was far from ordinary and I enjoyed talking with her about random stuff without having to suffer the annoying giggling and gossiping that made a pre-teen teeny-bopper.
In the light of the early morning sun on the fifth day, the very top of the Great Wall could be seen.
"Look there Ria… Hadrian's Wall, built three centuries ago. Can you imagine?" Finn said in wonder. It was a truly magnificent sight and took the moment to enjoy it in the brilliant glow of dawn. Unfortunately, my moment was disturbed by a weird sounding snore from Charity in the back of the wagon.
"Nay, absolutely not. The boy can stay, aye, not the girl." Argon crossed his massive arms across his broad chest. Unlike his brother, who was tall, jovial, light and handsome for his age; Argon was short, stout, stern and had a sour look on his face. "She's too small, just look at her." Argon had been pointing at Marion who stood next to Trent while I was leaning against a table.
"Who're you talkin' about? Marion's just a kid and hasn't the talent to become a blacksmith unless she tried." I quirked an eyebrow and the man looked directly at me.
"Argon, this is Victoria… the one I want you to take under your wing. She is talented and fast, she could learn much from you brother." Finn put in. He was trying to show him the swords and such I had made, but Argon did not seem impressed. Inwardly I beamed at my 'father' but kept my face as expressionless as possible. The two looked about ready to get into a fight, which would definitely not be a good thing.
Argon held out the sword and twirled it a bit. Again he didn't look awed by it. "It looks pretty, but is it any good?"
"Of course it is good, it is strong and sharp. A master blade, Argon."
"You have never wielded a blade like I have, Finn. You cannot possibly know if it is a good blade or not." Then he turned and pointed the tip to me, "You, girl, have you ever used a blade before? One that was not for the kitchen?" I bristled at the implication that I actually cooked.
"No, one I don't cook, two blades are not wielded back where I'm from and three if you don't get that sword outta—" Finn covered my mouth and pushed me behind him with a nervous chuckle.
"Brother, I may not have wielded a blade, but I know my swords and they work she does is wonderful, I could not be prouder of any other apprentice."
"You have only ever had one apprentice Finn, your son." Argon spat bitterly taking me by surprise, I just didn't understand how Argon could be so cold. Something was going on, but I did not want to b a part of it.
"Forget it Da'. It's not worth it if Argon won't even look at my work or give me a chance. SO, let's just sell what we've got and go back. Being your apprentice is probably more fun anyway." I shot Argon an evil glare before wishing Trent and Marion good luck and then exiting the forge.
"How much for these daggers?" a man asked my father.
"What is your offer?" I rolled my eyes at Finn's response. We had set up a temporary stall in the marketplace and everyone completely ignored me. I listened as Finn tried to sell some of my work and realized that he was getting cheated. I'm not one to blow my own horn, but really Finn is one of the worse merchants I have ever encountered.
They finally came to an agreement, the man walked away with a pair of ornate daggers and had a smug grin on his face while Finn handed me the money… 13 coins?
"Da! I don't believe that, just 13 for the pair of them? I'm selling the next one, okay? Just sit there and act senile… confused… erm, let me do this okay?"
The next customer was fingering a fine chamber pot I had learned to engrave with flowers and such. She asked me how much and made an offer of 20 coins. Finn sounded eager to accept, but I apologized to the woman explaining that he was confused and didn't understand the worth of his work (my work really). She looked sympathetic and upped the price. After much haggling, the pot sold for 98 coins and two chickens to another woman who got into the sale.
Triumphantly I grinned at Finn's awestruck face, immediately he agreed to let me handle all of the negotiations and sales.
About three sales later Marion joined us and helped me sell. "How is it you make a more profitable sale than I ever could?" Finn asked us after I sold a set of goblets for a pig and 163 coins.
"Women are very good negotiators," Marion replied.
"Well, I'm not sure 'bout that but back home I spent a summer with my aunt and uncle in their shop. There I learned the art of haggling."
"Interesting… these are very well made master blacksmith," a familiar booming voice chuckled, quickly I turned to see a few of the knights at our stall, Gareth, Gawain, Lancelot, Tristan and Kay. Squealing I launched myself into Gareth's arms showering him with kisses. Around us I could hear the other making comments, but I didn't care.
"Where have you been?" I asked as we finally separated.
"On missions and skirmishes, we haven't any time to come see you, forgive me?" Gareth pleaded.
"I'd be lying if I didn't." I hugged him tightly. The other resumed their talk with Finn about the works we had on display. Apparently they seemed very impressed.
"Lady Ria, you made all of these?" Gawain asked me, I nodded once and that spurred a flurry of questions and praise from the knights.
"Ria pet," (yeah, it sounds like Chia Pet) "Go on and see the fort, I can handle it here." Finn told me.
"Uh-uh. Da' you are the worse sales person I've ever met, no I can see the fort tomorrow or something, it's not important." I smiled to Gareth, who had taken to staying by my side as his brother knights went off through the market.
Some time later I was doing the happy dance. Not only had we sold every merchandise I had made, but I was invited to meet the other knights at the tavern (with Finn's permission, like I needed it).
"1200 coins, four geese, six chickens and TWO pigs!" I counted off our profits. We were back at Argon's place because Finn is too cheap to stay at the inn. Eh, as long as I got a roof over my head, I got no complaints. "This is so cool!"
A knock at the door drew our attention from the success we had. Marion said it was Gareth from the other side of the door. Smoothing out my only dress and cleanest outfit (a green peasant style outfit, loose and comfortable) I quickly left to meet my boyfriend and the other knights.
"Ready for a night of drinking?" Galahad asked me.
"I don't drink, but I'll have fun watching you get crunked… erm drunk." I grinned as we made our way to the tavern.
When we got there, the knights were disturbed to see the doors closed when normally they would be open, especially since it was such a warm night. The others shrugged it off and burst through the wooden doors with much noise and laughter. As sudden as their noise came, it disappeared.
"Hey… what's going on?" I asked pushing through them with Gareth in tow. There at the front of the bar was a group of men, old and somewhat young, surrounding a table where a sullen young girl stood… NAKED!
"Close that door, I'm trying to run a business." An obscenely fat and tall man bellowed.
It was in that instant I saw red, fury boiled in my veins that out did any hate I felt for Charity and the rest of that superficial world.
"WHAT IN THE FUCKING HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING YOU GAWD DAMNED FUCKING ASSHOLE?" I yelled pulling the girl down and behind me, shielding her with my body. I tore off my cloak and wrapped it around the shivering little body of the girl. The patrons' angry protests were inaudible to me as I tried to calm the child. She squeaked as the tavern owner advanced toward me only to be stopped by Gareth and the other Sarmatian knights.
"That girl is mine by right; it is my will to do what I wish. And I wish to sell her virginity." At these words I stopped in mid-tie of the cloak strings. The little girl in front of me watched me with wide frightened eyes but I paid her no mind. Whirling around to face the tavern owner I landed a fierce jump kick to his chest followed by a roundhouse kick in the stomach forcing him to fall back onto the table smashing it to smithereens. I was deaf to the angry grunts and voices of the tavern owner and the auctioneers.
I pulled the girl with me to the corner with Tristan and Gareth as my guards; the matter was being taken care of with Arthur, Finn and the Tavern owner. The other patrons were kicked out for the time being. Gareth handed me his cloak and I wrapped it around the girl with my own, my boyfriend looked a little disappointed that I wasn't wearing it despite the fact I was shaking a bit… mostly out of anger.
At least an hour later the tavern owner Regnald returned with Finn and Arthur, I stood defensively in front of the girl. I still did not know her name because I had been stewing over how best to castrate and kill the man to talk to her. Arthur, through gritted teeth, told me that legally the girl was under Regnald's guardianship and that he did have the right to do as he wished.
"That's bullshit!"
"I bought the chit, now return her to me!" Regnald yelled attempting to lunge at me only to be stopped by four men and surrounded by Sarmatians.
"YOU BOUGHT HER?" I shrieked in equal volume. They all winced, except for Tristan (who shows neither emotions nor expressions), at my outburst. Oy… my throat is going to be so sore.
"Aye, and if you take her, you'll be arrested for theft." He grinned evilly at me thinking I would back down.
Without a second thought, I untied the coin purse at my waist and threw is roughly at Regnald's face hitting his nose with a sick crack. I barely gave him a chance to yell for I held my favorite dagger (the first good one I ever made) to his crotch.
"Here's the deal, her guardianship for 1200 coins and you get to keep your shortest appendage. Deal?" I pressed the blade harder to prove my point, he squeaked and squirmed, and I believe all the other men felt glad that they were not in Regnald's place. No one intervened. He nodded "Good, this girl is now my servant –inwardly I cringed at the idea- you come near her, threaten her, touch her or do anything to her along those lines, you will not live to regret it. Am I clear?" Regnald carefully nodded again and I sheathed my blade. Then holding out my hand, I led the girl out of the tavern and back to Argon's forge.
"Marion… you awake?" I knocked on the door that Marion and Trent shared for now. Trent answered groggily, Argon preferred early mornings, and told me his sister was in my room.
There I told Marion what happened and she willingly helped me. Together, we set up a bath and for the first time I actually got a good look at her.
"Hey kiddo, I forgot… what's your name?" I was washing her back careful of the bruises I found, I somehow managed to keep my anger inside at the thought of this little girl being manhandled by that creep.
"E'erybody calls me Brat, short fer Immagonkillyeyuhlilbrat." Her bright green eyes would've normally made me jealous as she looked at me with hope.
"Huh. Is that hyphenated or one thing?" I asked flatly, Marion started to giggle which caused 'Brat' to giggle and soon we all started giggling. "Marion, you got any clothes she can borrow?"
All cleaned up she was a darling little girl of twelve with fiery red hair, a short stature, and more than enough attitude in her half-pint sized form than me on my monthlies. I was very pleased with myself.
"Ria? Can I come in?" Finn opened the door a crack. I nodded for Marion to greet my father.
There at the door was Arthur, Gareth, Bors, Finn and a red-headed woman I've never seen before with Bors' arm around her waist.
"Vanora!" 'Brat' ran to the red-head woman, I was thinking that this was her mother for a moment… maybe it was the red-hair. Vanora, Marion, 'Brat', and Bors left the room so Finn and Arthur could speak with me.
Arthur handed me a stack of papers and told me that 1) These were the guardianship papers for 'Brat' 2) I had to sign said papers and 3) I should probably avoid the tavern for the time being.
"No matter, Finn and I are going back to Crest Hill in a few days, so going out to get drunk is not on the agenda." I told the knight commander as I tucked the papers in a satchel.
"Actually pet," Finn came to sit on the bed, "my brother has reconsidered giving you an apprenticeship, he saw your work, thinks your good enough for a trial."
Really? That's interesting.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this one. Please review. I love to get reviews, I take suggestions when I can get them to fit. Although anything along the lines of killing off Charity will not be taken, you now know why we can't kill her off. Eh… chapter 9, sweet jeezus this was hard. Thanks indefinitely to my reviewers. One more thing, the bit about Brat being sold was inspired by the story ¨Book of Memories¨ by Melosine. Thanks for letting me use it.
Shevaun: Thanks for the review, sorry for the wait. But hopefully the anticipation was worth it.
KnightMaiden: Glad you think so. Hope this chapter was good enough.