Chapter Two
~Lancelot's PoV~
"If she does not wake you will either have to carry her or leave her where she lies." A Roman spat coming to check on our progress. "Personally the second seems more reasonable, the girl is nothing but mere trouble." He remarked knowing how fond we became of the girl.
"Watch you words." I snarled at the pathetic excuse of a man. Over the months of our travel Jadin had become a sister to me, someone to share my last memories of home.
"No boy, it is you who should hold their tongue. Lest you forget who you are to serve for the next fifteen years of your life." The Roman barked before turning and walking away.
"Forget that arse Lancelot. We should focus our efforts on Jadin." Gawain stated attempting to calm me from my anger. He was right a low growl escaped my being as I went to finish gathering Dagonet and my own things before leading his horse to where he still sat with Jadin. I passed the reigns to Gawain who held the mare steady as I took Jadin's form, still bundled in the fur blankets from Dagonet. Dagonet himself swiftly mounted his horse and settled into the saddle. Being as careful as possible I passed Jadin to Dag who wrapped an arm securely around her. I quickly mounted my own horse as the other Sarmatians followed.
We urged our horses forward with great speed, the Romans keeping pace only too glad that their task of duty would be over soon. I rode beside Dagonet, if only to keep my mind at a small ease that she was safe.
"How is she fairing?" I asked.
"She needs a proper healer." Dagonet said sparing another glance at Jadin. We both notice a tear slide down her face. She was muttering something in her slumber, I wasn't quite close enough to hear of what she was muttering though.
"Hold on Jadin were are nearly there." Dagonet said comforting. I looked forward once more and saw the looming wall of our servitude just beyond some hills and with it Badon Hill the small village of our outpost. There lay help for Jadin.
~Arthur PoV~
Palegus and I made our way back to the village, something was wrong. The young boys that I was to command were riding hard, there almost seemed to be an urgency to their speed.
The soon to be knights abruptly stopped once they reached the center of the village, some of the boys calling for help.
I was not stopped as I pushed forward to see what the matter was. One of the boys was carrying a girl, she looked as if death had already consumed her. A Roman soldier nodded to me as if I was already a Roman Commander.
"What is going on here?" I asked a little shocked at the authority already present in my voice.
"The girl, she burns. She needs help, please you have to help her." The boy beside her answered with urgency.
I looked from the girl to Palegus who simply nodded his agreement had spoken before taking his dismount. Both had started to follow when a soldier spoke in protest.
"Trouble yourself not with the girl she is only here to become a warmth for our men's bed. Nothing more than a whore." The soldier smirked.
I spun around sharply with a glare cold as death as I hissed, "This girl's life has more worth than yours ever will." I turned again and led the two boys toward my own home, though my aged hindered what help I could possibly give I knew my mother could do more.
I burst into my home calling for my mother, she was quick to answer as usual. "What's wrong Arthur?" she asked eyeing my company.
"The girl is ill she needs a healer." I answered. My mother nodded in understanding.
"Follow." She led the boys to her room where she had them rest her on her bed. "Arthur fetch the healer and fresh water. Boys return to your horses bring as many furs as you can. We shall try to break her from this fever."
My future knights and I set to work at the task set to us. Upon my quest to seek the healer I found that Palegus was thinking ahead and was already on his way to my hut with the healer in tow.
Upon my return with fresh water I noticed the two boys were already done with their task and waited well out of the way with no intention of leaving their friend's side until they knew she was going to make it. I passed my mother the water and waited with the boys.
"She has the cold and a high fever that ails her. Give her these herbs with meals and with rest she shall be fine." The healer spoke glancing to the boys beside me, who only relaxed slight. "You boys did right, she is in good hands." He added.
"I will watch over her. Go introductions are in order, Arthur." I nodded to my mother and turn to the soon to be knights, the larger of the two still held the girl in his gaze.
"Will you come for one of us if she wakes? She is already in a foreign land, I do not wish for her to be frightened." He asked.
"A promise I assure you. What are you names so that I may send for you?" my mother asked in returned.
"Dagonet. This is Lancelot." The large one answered.
"Very well Dagonet, Lancelot you have my word." She said with a kind smile. "I shall leave my son in your hands." With that we turned to leave, Lancelot stopped short before turning his head back to my mother.
"Jadin, her name is Jadin."