Chapter Three
~Gawain PoV~
The Roman soldiers led us to a stable and ordered us to tend to our horses and wait for our future Commander and training masters to come to speak with us.
"I do hope that Dag and Lancelot have been successful and not slain for speaking out to a Roman." Galahad stated softly to no one in particular.
"It will take more than a few Romans to take down Dagonet." Bors laughed boisterously.
"We are barely men, they are harden soldiers, what likes would our survival be?" Galahad spoke in gloom. I shook my head at my brother's words. He was the youngest among us of course he would think as such.
"If you are so eager to die why don't we put you out of our way." Merrick, one of the other Sarmatians hissed.
"Enough our hatred should be placed properly not at one of our fellow brethren." I spoke up. If we were to fight side by side we could not be at our own throats it would mean certain death.
Our conversation was abruptly ended as Dagonet and Lancelot entered the stables along with the Roman boy from the village center.
"How is she?" I rushed towards my brothers in arms heavy with worry awaiting news of hope.
"The village healer has treated her. She is resting." Lancelot answered looking at the Roman boy. I could not tell if it was a look of gratitude or suspicion.
"Where is she?" I was mildly surprised to hear Tristan ask. He was not one to speak often.
"She is with my mother." The Roman boy answered.
"And who are you?" I asked a little wary.
"My name is Arthorious Catus, you may call me Arthur. I am to be your Commander." Oddly enough I held no anger towards this boy. Having not even met us he tried his hardest to help us. He already earned my respect.
"With honesty I would like to acknowledge that I am truly sorry that your own free will has been taken from you, but know that I will share you fate no matter how cruel or harsh it may be. I will earn your trust and your friendship." Arthur spoke. Kay just rolled his eyes in disbelief. Merrick was not so controlled.
"Why should we believe the likes of you? You are Roman, you took from us our freedom." His remark was snide.
"I understand…" before Arthur could finish Ariwald cut him off.
"You understand nothing, you were not taken from your home to fight a war that is not your own." Ariwald yelled.
"That is enough, take your ranks." A man with Sarmatian armor and a scar down his face had entered the stables and put an end to our arguing. We lined the walls as instructed, this knight must be our training master. "Show some respect his father died in line of saving so many of you father's lives."
"Who would you be that is so important?" Kay asked as if he himself was royalty. I swear the likes of those three would sodden our Sarmatian name.
"I am the one that will be training you so that hopefully for you, you will not perish in battle. My name is Belguis." The training master introduced, himself before turning to leave. "Introduce yourself to your future leader and explore, be back here by nightfall and I will show you to your quarters." Belguis stated before leaving.
Merrick, Kay, and Ariwald walked out without so much as a word to our leader, the majority of our numbers followed to where it was only Lancelot, Dagonet, Bors, Tristan, Galahad and myself remained. To my surprise Jols returned.
Once our introductions were done Arthur led us around the village so that we could accustom ourselves to the area.
"You said earlier that the girl, Jadin correct? Was from a foreign land, where does she hail from?" Arthur asked Dagonet.
"I am uncertain, she claims to be from a land called New York, but I have never heard of such a place. Lancelot, she was found near your tribe would you know more?" Dagonet tried to answer. I looked to Lancelot I could not tell if he knew more than he let on or if he was as clueless as the others.
"All I know was Jadin was found unconscious in the vast plains dressed in her unfamiliar clothing." Lancelot answered.
"Arthur, she was brought here to be a whore. Is there nothing you can do to save her from such a fate?" I asked finding my voice once more. She would be tortured from such a life, it disturbed me greatly.
"I will not allow such a thing to happen." Arthur looked repulsed by the idea. "If she has to stay with my mother and myself then so be it. She is to young of age to live a scarred life such as that." Arthur finished.
"Thanks be." I mumbled, the sun was starting to fall as we made our way back to the stables. Belguis was already there with a few other of the boys.
"Retrieve your things." He stood by the door as we did as we were told. Then he led the way to the warm beds that awaited us. "Your training will begin tomorrow, get your rest for when the rooster calls I will expect you in the training yard."
We each parted ways before disappearing into our own chambers. I did not worry about finding places for my things, I slumped on to my bed and sleep welcomed me. With dreams plagued of her innocent face.
Awoken abruptly by loud banging I swore quietly. Had there really been a god enough reason for waking me.
"Gawain you lazy schlup get up! We will be late for our training." Galahad called from the other side of my door. Had I really slept through the roosters call? I groaned and rolled out of bed. I joined my brother in the hall and carried on our way to the practice yard.
Everyone was accounted for as my brother and I joined our fellow comrades.
"Good, now that we are all here we can begin. I want you to run from the cemetery to the forts gate for as long as I say. Endurance could very well save your life." Belguis ordered I was surprised that Arthur joined our ranks.
Just as we started our run I caught up with Arthur, Dagonet was close behind probably had the same question plaguing his mind.
"What came of Jadin in the night?" I asked before we would have to focus on our breathing.
"She has slept through the night. Her fever has not broken." We nodded at peace that she was resting but fear still gripped us at the heart.
"Jadin will pull through, she looks to be a strong one." Arthur tried to sooth our worried minds.
We finished our paces and tried to calm our aching lungs before we were to start our hand to hand combat. Unfortunately all that was granted us was a fear as painful as death. A house maiden of Arthur's mother came running to us her breath hitched.
"I am in search of the one called Dagonet." She managed to say between gasps. Dag stepped forward. "You must come with me."
Whatever gods there were please let her still breath, I thought as Dagonet and the house maiden ran off as if they hadn't already put their lungs through fire.