Above the small group of the sun shined, the sky, although it was dotted with clouds, was still a bright and welcoming blue.
Gazing to the sky Lillian smiled, she enjoyed moments like this, when she could breath fresh air, feel the wind in her hair and on her face, and did not have to take orders. Moments like this, especially at her primary post were very few, but since her stay at Hadrians Wall she was given more opportunities, and wasted none of them. Beside her Axel road with her, and Elizabeth not far behind with Raoul at her side. Lillian felt sorry for Axel, he had been paired with the drunken man who had started so many of their brawls, heaven knows how their practicing went. Raoul, he had been paired with none other then Elizabeth. When preparing for the trek Lillian had listened intently to the auburn haired woman as she spoke of her day with Raoul. Apparently Arthurs knight had had a good impact upon the fairly silent woman.
The group still surprised her, Lillian half expected to be placed with placed with Lancelot again, being as that was the new arrangement, but he was Arthurs first knight, and was needed elsewhere, meanwhile, Axels partner was sent to other tasks, punishment for the apparent trouble he caused today after their practice.
Lillian didn't care she enjoyed the company and , sighing, she continued on.
"Tell me Axel, how was practice?" Raouls voice rang up. With sarcasm laced in his words.
A smile on her face Lillian awaited the response. She knew in her heart Raoul was only taunting the man. He already knew how their practice had been, given he had seen it.
Smiling Axel answered. "He fell more times then I touched him." He said laughing. "I swear the man was drunk or hit too many times in the head."
"You're kidding?" Lillian asked laughing as images of the man swaggering back and forth with weapon in hand filled her head.
"I kid you not." Axel replied thinking back to it all. "Ask Raoul and Elizabeth if you don't believe me." He added motioning to those around them.
"He's over exaggerating isn't he?" Lillian prodded looking to the man and woman.
"I wish he was." Raoul answered. Turning her attention quickly to him she let her mouth drop.
"Impossible."
"On my honor as a knight the man could barely stand. All your friend had to do was breath in his direction and he nearly fell over. Guess he wasn't happy with Arthurs decision." Raoul laughed. "That's one reason why Arthur kept him behind today."
"I wish I could have seen it." Lillian sighed turning her eyes forward to the green hills.
"You would have had I not heard you were alone with Lancelot in the stables." Axel taunted, glad to put her on the spot. And the look she shot of sheer surprise and wanting to knock him off his horse was priceless.
"And just who said that?" Lillian asked, bringing her horse to a halt, her demeanor changing from carefree laughter to the stern and direct tone that her comrades knew all too well. The one that meant she did not care for jokes. Lillian had not intended for her tone to be so adamant and forceful, she had only wanted to know what rumors may be starting. She knew how they would start one person would tell another and somewhere along the way facts get turned around.
With a silent answer Axel looked over his shoulder to the now blushing woman that had followed behind them. All now stopped as the discussion unfolded between them.
"Elizabeth? How….." Lillian struggled for words, the only people who knew where she had practiced had been Lancelot, herself and Raoul. Which luckily numbered possible subjects down.
"I am afraid that I will have to take the blame for this." Raoul spoke up dragging Lillians attention from the still blushing and embarrassed woman beside him. "When you did not show up when she had anticipated she asked me what could be taking so long. So I told her you were possibly still at practice in the stables. No ill will was intended." Raoul added coolly, his eyes searching the depths of hers.
"Don't think I'm mad. I'm not. I just wouldn't want people to get the wrong ideas, which tends to happen when it involves Lancelot." Lillian replied, hoping that with her more cheerful tone, things would lighten up.
"That is true." Raoul laughed for a moment as his eyes surveyed the area around them. "But do not worry, although Lancelot may go after the ladies more than most, he is an honest man. If someone spreads any falsities about what took place between you two at your practice session, I assure you, he will set it straight. I mean he may play with it a sec but laugh it off and set it straight." Raoul stated matter-of-factly. True his darker haired friend was a ladies man, but he was never one to let a woman's name be dirtied with lies.
Smiling was all Lillian could do to counter the man's earnest reply and sincere stare. He had always been so kind to her. For a brief moment Lillian felt that just maybe, just maybe, Raoul had become to mean something more to her then just a mere friend. After all, aside from Dagonet he was the only one she spent most of her time with when it came to Arthur's men.
Casting her eyes back to the long dark locks of her treasured horse Lillian sighed.
"You know what….lets not dwell on that anymore." Axel spoke up breaking the momentary silence that spilled between them all. "We still have awhile to go and more errands to do upon our return."
"You're right" Raoul commented as the four started once more on their path along Hadrian's Wall, glad that the Woads and Picts have been silent for several days, yet still hesitant knowing that any moment they could decide to attack.
"Besides, I want to hear more about your practice." Lillian joked, playfully shoving Axel away, the look in his dark eyes sarcastically showing how much he appreciated her interest.
"We haven't any attacks in days." Caius stated, his tone annoyed with every passing second. He had never like coming to Hadrian's Wall. He was not the outranking commander at this post, he wanted to return to his own, where he was listened and obeyed without question. Where he was in charge of his Knights.
"They will." Arthur mumbled softly over his balled up hands, which lay underneath his unshaven face. His eyes wrought with thoughts as to why the enemy had not attacked in recent days. Several years of practically unending and constant battles he worried now. Now that there was none, no commotion from the trees around them, the home of their enemies.
"There hasn't been any commotion. We are going on a week Artorious. If it continues much longer I am afraid I will be forced to take my men and leave." Cauis shot back. Beside Arthur he saw one of his knights. He hadn't bother to learn his name, Cauis felt no need to. But he recognized him from many meeting before, Cauis had gathered this man in particular was Arthurs most trusted Knight. The idea made him sick, seeing a Roman but so much trust in a pagan.
"They have done this before, both during and before you arrival. And each time they attack, with more ferocity the before." The man spoke, his dark armor reflecting the fire in the torches that lined the room.
"I was addressing your commander, not you." Caius snapped bitterly. His eyes afire with utter resentment at the Sarmatian's utter disregard for rank and order.
"I respect that you and your men have aided us over the last 3 and a half months, but my order for comradory extended to both knights and Romans." Arthur interrupted, seeing that rage that was building in Lancelot's dark eyes. "With all due respect, Lancelot has always been welcome to speak at such meetings as these, and always will be." Arthurs words striking hard, though his tone remain subtle it left no room for a debate.
"It is the silence in the trees that worry me. Silence means they are not attacking. And when they aren't attacking they are planning." Arthur changed the subject back to the task at hand.
"Planning what?" Caius asked, is voice showing the annoyance that was building beneath him having been put in his place by the younger commander.
"An attack. When, where and how big I don't know. And that's what worries me." Arthur voice fell silent, his eyes heavy with dread and laced with the wanting desire of sleep.