Chapter 2: Upon Waking
"Who do you think she is? What do you think she is?" Daine woke to the sound of voices. As she would do in any other unfamiliar situation, she faked sleep. Keeping her breathing steady, and her eyes closed, she took stock of her surroundings. She was cocooned in blankets, and lying on the ground. There were six horses, warhorses if she heard correctly, no more than ten steps away. She would have allies there at least.
Greetings, Hoof-sisters. Hoof-brothers. She fought the urge to smile when they all nickered in response.
"I don't know… She can't be Woad, but she doesn't look Roman either. The closest I could place her as would be a Briton, but even that would be a stretch." So there were at least two people. Probably a third, as neither of them sounded like her probable rescuer. Or captor. Actually, by the number of horses there were probably at least six. Six people—men?—for six horses.
"Doesn't matter. We should have just left her. We don't know if she's a threat." At least three, then. She'd have to watch her step with this one; he didn't seem to like the idea of her. He would be the suspicious one. "And didn't you see how the horses reacted to her. And Tristan's bird. She's probably a witch!"
So, her rescuer was there. And his name was Tristan. She filed that away for later; names were power. She completely ignored the witch comment. It was good, though, to know how magic was regarded in this new world. She would have to be extra careful, then.
"How can you say that, Lancelot?" That was man number one again. He would be the one to try to get close to first, a champion at heart. And now she had another name; Lancelot. Tristan was her rescuer, and Lancelot was the one who would have left her to die… all right. "You of all people would leave a lady to die?"
"A lady, no. But this Lady," it would be difficult indeed to miss the heavy sarcasm in his tone, "may be no lady. How many Woadish ladies have tried to leave us to die?"
"But this Lady is no Woad!"
"And how do you know that?"
"Let it rest." This was a command, and obviously said by someone well respected. Both men silenced immediately. Four men accounted for now. "If you did not notice, you are arguing over her head."
"Thank you, Arthur." A third name, and a fifth man. The last horse must belong to Tristan. The man sounded frustrated; he must be the healer of the group. "You two idiots are going to wake her."
Daine chose then to open her eyes. The first thing she saw was a pair of brown eyes. "I think it's a bit late for that, Lads." The final man. Still no Tristan. Maybe she was wrong… there were other birds. It didn't have to be her hawk. The thought filled her with a type of desolation, and she almost unconsciously reached out to touch her newest friend's mind. The connection reassured her. The hawk was all right, at least.
All six men quickly crowded around her. She was overwhelmed for a moment, nervously looking around at the warriors—they were obviously warriors, armored and armed to the teeth. She really would need to watch her step.
"My Lady?" It was the commanding man, Arthur, and she could finally put a face to the name. Curly dark hair framed stern features, but the kindness in his bright green eyes rivaled even King Johnathan's. This man was a natural leader, and very likely one she would not hesitate to serve. "Are you well?"
Daine almost laughed aloud. Was she well? Of course, she had only been through hell and back in a ball gown. The past few days had not been kind to her… but this man had no way of knowing that. And so, she just smiled wryly up at him, struggling to sit up. A man with long blond hair hurriedly moved to support her. "Well enough."
He smiled back at her. "For that I am glad." Then he sobered, and reached for her hand. Gently holding her just above the wrist, he held her arm up, regarding the horrific burns in the light. "Can you tell me how you came by these?"
She could not hold his intense, but sympathetic gaze. "No."
"See!" Lancelot, a handsome man with loosely curling black hair and dark brown eyes, leapt to his feet and strode angrily away. "She will be the death of you, Arthur! Mark my words. This will be a mistake."
Daine stared wide-eyed after him, then turned a questioning look on Arthur. He sighed, and patted her knee. "Don't mind him. He has been out of sorts lately." He shot a warning glare at Lancelot, the other man resolutely turning away. " You do not need to tell us, if it is too difficult. But can you at least tell me your name, and why you are here?"
Daine took a deep breath, considering. It couldn't hurt to tell the truth. Or at least part of it. It's not as if anyone in this world would know her. "Daine. Veralidaine Sarasri, at your service."
She attempted a sweeping bow, a hint of her inner Player peaking through. Over the years she had often wondered if the Player sense was contagious; each length of time she spent with her Player friend Evan added a bit more Player to her personality. Now that she thought of it, maybe that was why she made such a good spy. She could act.
A large, bald man—the one who had announced her waking—let out a loud, booming laugh. He slapped her on the back, making her lurch forward. "I like you, girl! I be Bors."
"You most certainly are…" Daine offered him a bemused smile. Everyone else laughed. "Nice to meet you Bors."
Her supporter spoke up next, his voice rumbling against her back. "And I, my lady, am Gawain. And that Pup over there is Galahad." He pointed to her other side, at a man with dark brown hair and eyes. He was obviously younger than she was, and his petulant scowl at the name only made him look younger.
"Thank you Gawain. You make a comfortable pillow, by the way." She reached back and patted his chest. She knew by the other men's laughter that her pillow was blushing. "And hello, Galahad."
The younger man's scowl quickly brightened, and he nodded. "I hope you feel better soon."
"I am Dagonet." The gentle looking giant took her hand and started smoothing salve over her burns. "These burns are bad. I hope someday you will trust us enough to tell us why."
Daine's smile saddened. "I hope so too. You are the one that helped me?"
He nodded solemnly. "Yes. But it was Tristan who found you and brought you to us. He is out scouting."
"Scouting?" She carefully schooled her expression. She would see what she could find out about her new companions.
"Yes, Lady. I am Arthur. The man sulking by the horses is Lancelot. I am the commander of these knights and he is my Second." Arthur eyed her suspiciously. He had noticed her evasion. "You must understand… our duty is to protect these lands. We were in the middle of a patrol when Tristan brought you to us. So I am afraid that we must know why you are here."
"You see me as a threat?"
Arthur sighed. "Truthfully? No. But we did not survive so long by being careless. It is not everyday we find a girl in the woods."
Daine knew then that no charade she could choose would work on this man. She would need to keep all of her answers as close to the truth as possible. But, judging by Lancelot's reaction, she could not tell them of the magic. It was obvious just how it was regarded: as a menace. The fact filled her with a sort of dread. Her Wild Magic was too conspicuous to hide for long.
Galahad gave her a reassuring smile, patting her knee much as his commander had done earlier. The knight must have seen her discomfort. "Don't worry, Lady. We are honorable knights; we will not harm you. You must not fear us."
"Now, Lady, will you tell us how you came to be here?"
Daine looked at Arthur for a long moment, then reluctantly nodded. "I don't actually know where 'here' is…"
"How can you not know?" Lancelot had made his way back to the cluster of knights and lady. Then, sneering, "you are just trying to evade the question! You think us fools, Lady?"
"Lancelot!" Arthur glared at his Second. Lancelot was unrepentant.
"As I was saying," Daine continued calmly. She wouldn't let him ruffle her feathers. "Someone just dumped me out there early this morning. Or late last night… I'm not entirely sure. I'm sure you can all tell I'm a foreigner. I had no idea where I was, and I still don't. It was only after a full morning of wandering that your scout found me."
Arthur regarded her for a moment, weighing her words. Then he nodded curtly, rising. "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt for now."
"Arthur! You must be mad!"
Arthur ignored him. "Rest now. We will do your best to aide you. We will take you back to the Wall with us, when we go. Unless you have somewhere to go?" When she shook her head, he looked around at the knights, thinking. "When we move on you will ride with Gawain. You seem to get on well enough."
She smiled at him. "Thank you. I don't think you realize how much this means to me."
Lancelot snorted.
"Dagonet, look after her. Be sure she is ready to travel as soon as Tristan returns. I hope you feel well soon, Lady." After giving her a small smile, Arthur pushed Lancelot away towards the horses. She could here him berating his Second as they walked away. "What do you think you're doing? She's naught but a lady, and an injured lady as well. You have no reason to hate her, so don't act like you do!"
Then his voice faded, and she was tempted to take on bat ears to hear them better. She knew she couldn't risk it. She could just ask the horses later, anyway; they would tell her all that went on.
The sound of a throat being cleared brought her attention back to the remaining knights. "Lady, may I continue tending to your wrists?" She hadn't even noticed that he had stopped. She nodded absentmindedly, holding her wrists out to him. She wondered for the first time just how much she could trust them. She knew from experience just how easy it was to pretend to be something—or someone—you're not. She would just have to give them the benefit of the doubt. It wasn't as if she had any other choice…
Daine wasn't even going to think about trying to escape. She would be completely helpless! She didn't know this world, she didn't know the humans, and she didn't know the People. She didn't even know how her Wild Magic would react. She hadn't tried to puzzle that out yet. Now that she could hear the People again, would all of the rest fall into place? Would her magic be the same? She would have to get away for a time, to figure it all out. She only hoped it would be soon; she hated the idea of not knowing.
"Lady?"
Daine jerked her head up, her heart skipping a beat. She rubbed the back of her neck, grimacing. She was normally more aware than that. But first thing's first. "It's just Daine… I'm no Lady."
"Daine then. Are you well?" She could see the blatant concern on the gentle giant's face. Her heart constricted; he reminded her so much of Numair. Both gentle and dangerous. A difficult combination. Though he wouldn't be nearly as comfortable at a court function… Tears came to her eyes then. She would never see her teacher again. She'd never see any of her friends again.
"Daine?" She looked up at Galahad, seeing his frown. Now she felt bad; she had worried these people who had been so kind to her. She couldn't stop the single tear from trailing down her cheek, however. The man carefully gathered her into his arms. "Hush, now. All will be well."
"What is the matter, Lady?" Daine looked up to see that Arthur had returned. Great. So now she could worry him, too…
"It is nothing…" When he arched an eyebrow at her, she sighed. He really was much like King Johnathan. She let out a watery laugh. If she did not laugh, she knew she would start crying again. "It is just that… it is only now sinking in that I may never see my family again!"
His gaze softened, and he laid a hand on her head. "Do not worry so. We will help you get home. Now rest... it will be a long day of riding tomorrow."
He strode away, his red cape flaring behind him. She stared after him, wondering. Then, too quietly for her remaining companions to hear, "If only you could."
She slept well that night, the comforting crooning of the People soft on her mind.