Hello again. Sorry I havent updated for a while. School has been keeping me rather busy but I will try and update more. Hope you like this chapter. Please read and review and I shall post again as soon as possible. Thank you to all who read and to all who review.
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"Hello all!" a man announced emerging from the depths of the shadows. The group she had come with parted so that he may come through and reveal himself. Walking beside the man she saw Cauis. "Welcome to Hadrians Wall. I am Artorious. You may call me Arthur." he added as he made his way to his men. Even now the seperation between the two Sarmatian groups was evident. Arthurs on one side of the arena and Cauis' on the other and Lillian some how found herself stuck between them, alone in the middle. "I am sorry that I was unable to greet you at the wall, but you arrived sooner then we had anticipated. But, I trust that you will enjoy your stay here at the wall, as long as the woads will permit." he humored trying to lighten the mood between the two meet parties.
She heard the smallest twinge of sincerity in his voice as he spoke. His eyes showed a calm and understanding wisdom far beyond his years. Obvious in his stare was the impact that only a few years of war had had upon him.
"Artorious, if you would allow me, let me introduce you to the men that shall me serving under you." Ciaus announced, with a wave of his hand he beckoned for his knights to come closer. How she hated it when he would do that. As if they were pathetic beings instead of individuals. "May I present Cordaine and Emanuel, both excellent marksmen and Axel, one of my finest swordsmen. All three skilled in hand to hand combat." The tone in his voice suprised her, for a moment she thought she had heard pride in his voice when he introduced the skills of the men, probably because he felt it was largely due to him. She watched and waiting for the introductions to continue, eventually the cold blue eyes of Cauis fell upon the women and he held his tongue. See the prediciment Arthur spoke up prompting the Roman to continue.
"Ther are fine men I am sure of it, especially if they were trained by your skilled hands and taught under your watchful eyes but, I am eager to know as to why Rome sent so few of you. I had received word that we were to receive more then just three knights." Arthur persisted seeing the dissapointment in the mans eyes as well as in the eyes of the women before them.
Sighing the man continued. "May I also present Elizabeth, Izea, Ellaine and..." all watched as he pointed to the women as he named them off. At the low sound of the Romans voice mentioning their name the women stepped forth and bowed respectfully to the man they would be calling their commander. When at last his fingers lastly landed upon the dark haired woman at Dagonets side. "...Lillian." The dullness in his voice was evident but was nothing compared to the murmurs she heard from Arthurs knights nor the looks she saw from the corner of her eye.
"You have women knights in your group?" Arthur asked rather suprised to hear, he had not known that Rome had begun to recruit female knights.
"Unfortunetaly yes." Cauis answered.
Lillians heart began to fill with anger to her commander, he had always been like this. Looking down on them.
"You see Arthur Rome did not feel the need to bless me with an all male brigade as they did you. They felt the men should be posted elsewhere." Cauis continued bitterly as he looked to the women, as though it was their fault that he received women as knights. Anger pumped through her veins and filled her ears. He had never liked them, none of them. Especially the women. From day one he made the clear when they arrived. Always treating them differently then the men. Never taking their advice, the voices into consideration. Treated them as inferiors, unworthy to train under him. The fact that little more then half of the knights serving under him were female did not help the situation. AS the man spoke she could see the jealousy he felt for Arthur in his eyes. Soon Cauis fell silent and did not continue.
Taking the initiative Lillian stepped forward, extending her arm to Arthur when he came within reach. Curiously he watched her before taking her hand in his.
"I hope that our not being men will not dissuade you sir. We are very formidable in battle sir. Skilled in swordsmanship, hand to hand combat and archery like our male counterparts." she announced, her head held high, her voice full of confidence as she spoke.
The poise she took, the confidence, especially after Cauis words towards them was a suprise. He had thought that after years of what Cauis may have dealt them with, it would have diminished their spirits but hers still remained it seemed.
"Of course not M'Lady. But I am eager to see all of you in battle. If the ladies of Sarmatia fight anything like the men under my command then they shall be a force to be reckoned with. I would be proud to serve with ones such as yourself." with a slight bow of his head he saluted her with respect. His actions caught the woman off guard. Looking to him she saw she was wrong. This man was unlike Cauis, and that was comforting.
She did not see the look on Cauis' face as all this took place but his voice showed his frustration when he spoke.
"Lillians mouth tends to let her mouth run away with her. She forgets her place. I ask forgiveness on her behalf. This disregard for respect shall be dealt with immediately." Cauis announced angrily. She didnt know what bothered him more. The fact that she spoke up or that Arthur took her words to heart. That she showed him respect and he did the same. Signaling to nearby Roman guards, Lillian soon found herself staring at those that came her way.
"That will not be necessary Cauis." Arthur responded quickly raising a hand to stop the advancement of the guards. Out of the corner of her eye she started Dagonet step forwards with Bors at his side, each still bearing the weapon they had been practicing with. Looking back to her Roman leader she swore she saw anger bearing down on her from his cold cruel stare.
"You have quite a young woman here Cauis, outspoken and spirited." Taking his eyes back to her, Arthur continued. "Tell me Lillian was it, you have told me of what the others specialized in but is it that you are experienced in."
She saw the look she recieved from Cauis. A look she knew all to well. Glancing to the others she their told her to stop now but defiance overtook her and she continued. "I am skilled in all areas like the others. I prefer a sword at my side, more so then the rest who tend to turn to archery."
"You should get along well here. I could always use another sword on the field. I hope you, all of you, will think of Hadrians Wall as you home during your stay." he said aloud so all could hear his comforting words.
"I am sure we will commander Artorious. On behalf of myself and my fellow knight we would like to thank you and yours for you hospitality during this transtition. As well as our apologies for the loses you have suffered as of late." Bowing low as she spoke. Off to the side the others did the same.
"I thank you for you kind words, but perhaps such talk could be saved for later discussions. Right now I feel that perhaps all of you must be tired from your long journey. Stables have been made ready to house your horses and rooms have been made available to you. Jols here will show you the way." Arthur announced.
At the sound of his name a man stepped forward. Slightly shorter then Arthur and a little big boned he looked as though he could hold his own.
"Now Cauis if you would come with me I shall escort you to your quarters." With another respectful bow Arthur left with Cauis at his side.
"If you would follow me." Jols said aloud. Turning to follow their escort she looked back to Arthur knights and met the eyes of Dagonet, shock still evident on his face. Not far behind she saw Lancelot run his fingers through his dark hair.
"Lillian!" a voice called. Turning away from Arthur knights she quickened her pace and returned to her own.