#32 Invitations
Kirra had just finished tidying up and was getting ready to lock up, when there was a knock on the House door. Upon answering it she found five soldiers facing her. There faces were amused but in a hard way. She didn't recognize any as being form the fort, so she guessed that they were some who had accompanied the Bishop and had not been hurt in the fray.
"What can I do for you gentlemen?" She asked, hoping that her voice was strong enough to hide the growing trepidation that was causing her heart to pound.
The men had loosely spread themselves out effectively blocked any escape routes. She stepped out into the little yard of the House and made a big show of locking the door, hoping to give herself time to think of a way out of the dangerous predicament. It made her severely uncomfortable to turn her back on the soldiers, but she needed the few seconds to compose her face. She wondered frantically where Tristan was; he was usually never far away.
One tall soldier stepped forward, "We have been sent to invite to dine with our lord Bishop."
Kirra swallowed her astonishment and turned slowly, "Well, I have already promised to have dinner with my brother and the other knights. Please, inform the Bishop of my sincere regrets." She said and smiled apologetically as she moved to walk around the soldier.
The Roman sniffed and stepped to block her way, "Perhaps, you aren't hearing me, lady. You are to dine with the Bishop this evening as his personal guest." The Roman sneered while his companions chuckled humorlessly.
Kirra could only guess what a personal guest of the Bishop's would be expected to do and she took a wary step back, tossing her hair from her face with a careless gesture and opening her mouth when she spied Lancelot passing near on his way to supper. The group of clustering soldiers had caught his attention and he had come to investigate. Relief flooded Kirra's body and she had to fight to keep her knees from giving out. She immediately slipped her arm through his when the Romans moved away from her and allowed him space to stand at her side.
"What's going on?" Lancelot asked in an easy voice, though his eyes were dangerously dark.
"These fellows were inviting me to dinner tonight." She said as though it were a daily occurrence. "But I told them that I had a previous offer."
"And so you do." Lancelot said laying a possessive hand over hers and looking at the men in challenge.
"The Bishop wishes the girl dine with him tonight." The tall soldier repeated, this time with more respect in his tone.
"Well, she has plans. I am sure the Bishop will understand." Lancelot tightened his hand over Kirra's. "As it is our last night together as a group before we are free to go our separate ways. There is a feast of sorts awaiting us and we certainly could not start without Kirra. Ah, here is Galahad." He said almost pleasantly and handed Kirra off to the wary younger knight then flanked her as they left the Romans standing in the dust looking at each other in consternation.
"What happened back there?' Galahad asked in a tight voice when they were out of earshot.
"The Bishop wanted me to be his personal guest this evening." Kirra said as if the word left a bitter taste in her mouth -- which it did. "I politely declined, saying that I had other plans this evening." She looked over her shoulder nervously.
"You are not to be alone until he leaves." Lancelot ordered giving her a sharp look.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Kirra said at an attempt to be flippant only because it was Lancelot giving the order, but having every intention of obeying him. Her heart was still in her throat and her palms were sweaty.
Galahad stopped her, "Lancelot is right, Kirra. One of us must be with you at all times. You know that Gawain and Tristan will tell you the same thing once they have learned of your invitation."
There was nothing like having a bunch of men who though it was their duty in life to order a person around. Kirra made a face, "Fine," She retorted sharply. "I will not go anywhere by myself."
"I think that this will be the perfect opportunity to make good on my plans with Gawain's wife." Lancelot said with a swagger as they continued towards dinner.
Kirra looked up in exasperation, how had he heard? She had only just told Vanora. She pinned him with a first-class scowl. "Only if you want your boys detached from your body as you try to do so," She said with a wolfish smile.
"Now, why would you mention something so cruel? You wouldn't want to deprive the other women of my particular talents, even if you are uninterested, especially when there is so little other talent around, right Galahad?"
Kirra tried to stifle her laughter as Galahad glared at his fellow knight. He seemed to be angrier then usual tonight. She could feel it radiating from him. It came from Lancelot also, but he was better at hiding it. Kirra would never have known if she hadn't been blessed with her particular gifts.
"You know, Lancelot, one of these days Galahad is going to be big enough to make you eat your words." She said.
"Little sister, I do not think that Galahad will ever be that big, but perhaps we should ask some of the wenches about it. There's Anne, let's ask her." They had arrived at the tavern and one of the prettier girls had seen Galahad and smiled shyly at him.
It was Kirra's turn to groan, "Everything is about sex with you isn't it?"
"When you've got it…"
"Don't finish that sentence, please; it just might make me loose my appetite." Kirra said it in jest, but her stomach was still uncomfortably knotted from her close call with the Bishop's men.
"Fine, but about tonight, what time shall I be at your room?" Lancelot persisted.
"Oh, go sit down, man." Kirra said in exasperation as she pushed at the tall man and sat down at the table next to Gawain.
"What was that all about?" He asked, glancing from his fellow and back to Kirra. Lancelot gave him a pointed look and turned to find a seat.
Kirra waved her hand dismissively, "Oh, you know, with Lancelot it's always about sex. So," she said abruptly changing the subject, "did you get your papers?"
Gawain's face hardened, "No, and we are unsure as to why. We did learn, though, that the Romans are leaving the island."
"Well, that's good news." Kirra said, taking a sip of her wine and making a face. The smell did nothing for her troubled stomach. "Isn't it?" She asked at Gawain's pointed silence.
Gawain gave his head a little shake, "No, they are leaving it to the Saxons." He drained his cup and motioned to the nearest serving girl for another. "A large army is headed this way.
Kirra swallowed hard, "But from what I hear, they destroy everything."
"Aye."
"So, basically the past fifteen years have been in vain." She said raising her voice slightly in anger and glanced over at Galahad, who was well on his way to getting thoroughly sloshed. She had thought something was amiss. Now that she knew it did seem that the others were more subdued then she would have thought them to be on such a night.
Gawain nodded again and again drained his cup.
Kirra wanted to find out what was going on and knew that Arthur was her only source of information. She had risen with the purpose of finding the commander when Lancelot, who was speaking quietly to Tristan, caught her eye and slowly shook his head at her in warning. Tristan turned to look at her and his dark expression mirrored Lancelot's.
"Oh, for the love," She hissed in exasperated English as she plunked herself down again, immediately regretting the act because her stomach roiled with the abrupt movement.
Gawain looked at Kirra sharply. It was the first time she had used English in a very long time. He noticed for the first time that she was uncharacteristically pale.
She saw his questioning look and sighed, "I have received strict orders that I am not to go anywhere unless I have one of you with me as a personal body guard."
Gawain sat up in interest, "Why?"
"The Bishop's guard paid me a little visit right as I was leaving to come here that I don't think would have gone quite so nicely if Lancelot and Galahad had not shown up right when they did."
Gawain's blue eyes hardened into ice, "And what was the visit about?" He asked fiercely, leaning closer to her.
"Well, according to them, the Bishop wanted me to join him as his personal guest for dinner tonight."
"You mean you were to be dinner." Gawain guessed in a dangerously soft voice.
Kirra nodded, "More than likely." She reached out to soothe Gawain. Rarely had she seen him so angry and in this situation it frightened her. He was edgy already – like a cat before a big storm, he didn't need to do anything that might get him into trouble so near the end. "It's fine now and over with. There is nothing to worry about. We'll be gone soon and I promised Lancelot not to go anywhere unescorted and I won't so it will be okay."
"Aye," He breathed still unconvinced and stared for a moment at Kirra. There was a great sadness in his eyes along with a frustration she couldn't quite place.
Kirra grinned at him and nudged him playfully with her shoulder, "Come on, this is a happy night. Go get me some food so we can celebrate it on a full stomach."
He gently cupped her face and searched her eyes almost wistfully before getting up to do as she asked. As she was waiting for him to come back, Tristan, having finished his discussion with Lancelot drifted by and sat down.
"I heard about the Saxons," She said not taking her eyes from Gawain's broad back.
"I heard about the Bishop," He countered, proving she had been correct in guessing that was what his conversation with Lancelot had been about.
Laughing lightly, Kirra turned to face her brother and tossed her head haughtily, "I can't help it if everyone wants me. Face it, you have a beautiful sister. I simply do not know how you can stand it."
Kirra's teasing was rewarded with a small smile that disappeared almost as soon as it appeared. "Just be watchful," Tristan said in a low tone.
Kirra sighed with mock annoyance, "Why must I have to be watchful, you know perfectly well that you will not let me out of your sight now until we leave."
Another smile warmed her brother's dark eyes but they sobered instantly as if the light had only been an illusion, "Nevertheless, be careful." He said softly.
"Well, I did it. I finally wore you down." Kirra said putting her arm around him and resting her head on his shoulder. To her surprise and delight he actually put his arm around her waist and gave her a brief squeeze. "See," she sighed contentedly, suddenly exhausted from the up and down emotions of the afternoon. "You do like me."
She sat up when Gawain returned with dinner and Tristan stood to leave. An understanding passed between the two men before Tristan slipped away.
"You two think you're sneaky, but I saw that." Kirra said.
Gawain laughed. It would seem that in the time it had taken him to get Kirra some dinner, his mood had greatly improved. "Vanora just congratulated me." He said in an offhand manner.
Kirra paused as she picked up her spoon, "Why?" she asked distractedly, she was peering at her dinner and trying to figure out what it was. Dinner didn't look all that bad tonight but the smell had her pushing it away. Her actions had Gawain raising his eyebrows, it wasn't often that Kirra turned up her nose at dinner – even if it was something she didn't want to eat.
"Apparently you've deemed it the right time to tell her know our whole story. Everyone knows now." He grinned when she turned to him in surprise.
"She told me she'd keep it under her hat."
"Kirra, you know better than to tell Van anything you don't want spread in a matter of moments." He commented as he took a large bite.
Kirra looked around him and caught Vanora's eye, she frowned as the woman shrugged almost helplessly then grinned at her. Kirra shook her head, "I knew better, but it's so close to the end, I guess we both figured it wouldn't hurt anything. I hope you don't mind."
Gawain shrugged and swallowed a bite, "Doesn't matter, most had some idea that was the way of it."
"We're not very sneaky are we?" Kirra asked with a giggle as she leaned against his shoulder.
"Not in the least." He agreed with a laugh.
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The evening gave away into night with Kirra watching and laughing as the men grew very drunk and played their usual game involving throwing very sharp knives at a very small target. All in all, not a very intelligent thing to do while inebriated.
Unsurprisingly, Tristan won and Bors talked Vanora, who had a rather fine singing voice, into singing a song that Kirra had not heard before but found haunting. It seemed to touch a chord within her and it filled her with a hope she hadn't felt before. The men all knew it and it seemed for a moment to transport them to another place. Their faces grew wistful and hopeful at the same time. The song was interrupted when Jols spotted Arthur hanging back and called to him. At the sight of their commander, Gawain left Kirra to join the others when they congregated around Arthur. Kirra got up to scold Vanora for leaking her secret prematurely when their attention was again focused on the knights.
It seemed an argument of sorts was going on. All seemed instantly sober as if they had not just spent a good part of the night drinking their way through the tavern's many ale barrels. The women could hear nothing of what was said until Bors erupted in rage roaring and Galahad snapped at Tristan. Kirra shared a startled look with Vanora before the older woman had to calm the frightened Eleven as he screamed his fear out. Bors stormed towards them and Kirra skirted the livid man and started towards Gawain in time to hear him agree to something and say that Galahad was in on it, too. Gal responded by smashing a pitcher on the flagstone and stalking away.
Gawain took her arm and was about to pull her away when Arthur called her name. She looked up into Gawain's hard eyes and slipped from his tightening grasp.
"Will you come with us tomorrow?" The commander asked her.
"No!" Gawain snarled and reached for her arm again.
Kirra glared at him then turned to Arthur, "Where?"
"North of the Wall. It would seem that freedom requires one more mission and," Arthur glanced at Gawain's black face, "it seems you will not be safe here."
Kirra's face blanched, ignoring his last statement. It had been directed to Gawain anyway, "North of the Wall? But that's Woad territory." She said unwittingly echoing Galahad's statement.
Arthur nodded sadly, "Yes."
Gawain shook his head vehemently. "No." his voice had not gentled, but grew more quiet and more deadly. "It is enough that we go on this suicide mission, I will not have Kirra go. I forbid it."
Kirra smiled at him gently, "Whoa, caveman. I can't stay here with the Bishop around. How long do you think it would take before he sent for me again? And if none of you are here …" Her voice faded and Gawain finally softened at the fear he saw in her eyes and the knowledge of the truth. He knew the answer to her question and there was no way he would leave her to that fate. He nodded reluctantly and when Kirra turned back to Arthur, her eyes were hard as ice and just as chilling, "I'll go." She said simply and turned to leave as Arthur heaved a sigh of relief.
Gawain glared at his commander a moment before stalking after his wife and Arthur was relieved to see him go. Long years of fighting in near impossible situations led him to know what Gawain was capable of and he recognized the look of his death in the knight's eyes. It would take a long time for Gawain to forgive him for this. He had only a moment to contemplate what Tristan would do as he almost fled to the stables and before Lancelot ambushed him.
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"Before you say one word, know it will not change my mind. And short of tying me up and locking me in some storage room, you will not keep me from going." Kirra said to Gawain, once they had reached his room.
"Why?" Gawain nearly exploded. He had never felt such helpless fear in his life. Kirra would go with them, even if she had to wait for someone to dig her out of the deepest pit of Arthur's Hell in order to follow them. It was there in her eyes -- hard, steady grey, brim to overflowing with determination.
Kirra sighed, "Gawain, this is what we were sent back for."
He paced in frustration, "Aye, but not when we both know it is an utter suicide mission. Between the Woads and the Saxons, we are sure to die."
Kirra met his rage calmly, "No, you will not." She said softly, conviction ringing in her tone.
"You cannot be sure of that." He said sitting on the edge of the bed.
Kirra knelt in front of him and took his hands, "It is now more than ever that I am needed. It is because of the nature of this mission I have to go along." She searched his eyes, pleading for understanding. "Somehow I know this is the reason our lives were changed so dramatically. This is what I was brought back for. Please."
Gawain could only shake his head grimly and mutter, "I hope you are right."
"I am. You have nothing to worry about," she said in gentle tones as she rose to stand before him. Gawain couldn't bear to meet her eyes. She was so certain. She placed her cool hands on his face and forced him to look up at her. "Nothing will happen to us. I won't let it. You'll see."
Gawain grabbed her waist and pulled her closer burying his face in her stomach, "I will hold you personally responsible if something does." He murmured roughly against her.