I traveled south, towards the English channel. I had a plan, it might not have been the smartest thing to do, head towards home but I though maybe they would not look for me in my own country. It took me nearly 6 months to travel to the Dubris because I had to dodge Saxon raiding parties, and Woad parties too. I finally made it to the small port called Dubris. I checked the shipping times and found a respectable ship and captain heading towards Gristonia. I went to find the captain and one of the Soldiers on duty pointed out his ship to me. I walked over and his boat was big enough to hold at least 20 people and their horses. I got the captain's attention and he came down from the ship to talk to me.
"How much to travel to Gabral?" I asked and he seemed to be thinking for a minute.
"Are you traveling with your horse?" He asked nodding his head towards Jibe.
"Yes," I replied and it took him another minute before he spoke again. He told me the price and it was my turn to remain silent.
"All right," I muttered sounding defeated, it was a very high price, higher than what I paid to travel to Great Britain but there was no other way. I opened one of the saddles on Jibe and pulled three purses, I handed them to the captain and he weighed them in his hand.
"My men will get your horse on board," He said pointing to two men walking down the ramp of the ship. They grabbed Jibe's reins and guided him up ramp and onto the ship. The captain told me to follow him aboard and I did. He showed me the deck, where the sailors worked and where he could be found if necessary. Then he led me downstairs, there were three levels. The bottom level was where the horses and baggage were. The other two levels were cabins, he told me I could pick I picked the one furthest away from the stairs leading up to the two upper levels.
Then all of a sudden I could hear many horse hooves hitting the ramp going onto the ship.
"It would appear they have arrived," the captain said looking at the ceiling.
"Who?" I asked softly opening my door and standing in the doorway.
"The knights," he said smiling, "They sent a messenger ahead to tell me they would be traveling with me and that I should save them room."
"What knights would these be?" I asked as the color left my face and I started to become sick.
"The knights of the round table," He replied smiling, "If you have a problem don't hesitate to ask." He ambled down the hallway and walked up the stairs to the deck.
I closed the door to my room softly and leaned against it.
"Did I do something to you, is this punishment?," I ask staring at the ceiling and slamming my fist against the ground. I chucked my bags onto the small shelves in the room and lied down on my bed. I could hear the knights joking around while they chose their rooms. Doors on the same level as me where opened and closed, there was laughter and silence. I was getting nervous, my plans were crumbling and I was starting to lose my mind.
I felt the ship lurch forward and knew that the ship had set sail for Gristonia, my home country. It was too late to change my mind and it would take most of the day to get there, it was a large island in the middle of the English channel, between Great Britain and France. I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep, but I was too worried about everything. About why the knights were traveling to my home country, what if I got caught, what would happen if one of the knights recognized me?
I finally couldn't handle it anymore, I needed some fresh air. I pulled out a large black hooded cloak from my bag and put it on. I pulled my hood far over my eyes. I stuck my head out of my room to see if there was anyone in the hallway. There wasn't so I walked quickly to the stairway and walked up the two flights of stairs to the deck. The knights were up with the captain conversing with him as he guided the boat in the harsh sea. I stayed closed to the door leading downstairs incase I needed an easy escape. Putting my hands on the railing I took a deep breath of the salt water and smiled. I had forgotten what it smelt like and how good it made me feel. I could hear the knights talking to the captain from where I was standing, their conversation did not make me feel any better.
"So what brings you guys to Gristonia?" The captain asked.
"King Stefan pleaded to the pope for our help and he sent us to help him," Arthur muttered, I could tell he was not very happy about it.
"Any particular reason?" The captain asked looking for some good gossip.
"We weren't told," Lancelot said when Arthur made it apparent he wasn't going to answer. The other knights were talking amongst themselves and they fell quiet when they noticed something wrong with Arthur.
"What's wrong with you?" Lancelot asked and Arthur just stared at the empty sea.
"Nothing," Arthur said, "It just doesn't make sense why the Pope would send us here when the Saxons seem to be moving and organizing."
"But they're moving away, it doesn't look like they're going to strike any time soon," Galahad said, "Do not worry about it Arthur." Arthur remained quiet watching the Great Britain land disappear behind us. I took a deep breathe and turned around, I almost ran straight into Bors.
"Whoa lass, watch where ye goin'," he said and I mumbled something but continued walking.
I went back to my room and flopped onto my bed. I sighed loudly and grabbed my bag, I took out some bread and chewed on it for awhile. I heard the knights go into their rooms and figured maybe it'd be safe to go back onto the deck. So I pulled the hood of my cloak up and left my room. I walked onto the deck and the only people I could see were the sailors manning the ship. I went to the bow of the ship and stood in the little crook where the two railings met. Leaning my elbows on the railing I looked at the horizon and could see the long stretch of land that was my home.
"Beautiful isn't it?" One of the sailors asked me, I nodded softly because it truly wasn't that beautiful. It might have been a beautiful land at one time but it was covered in ugliness.
"First time on a ship?" He asked standing besides me.
"No," I replied, "Yours?" He laughed and I smiled softly at him.
"Nope," He said after his laughter died off, "It's exciting isn't it, having the knights on board?"
"Not extremely," I replied bitterly and he shrugged, "How much longer till we reach Gristonia?"
"2 or 3 hours," He replied and I nodded, "I better get back to work 'fore the captain has my head."
"Bye," I muttered resting my eyes on the blue sea underneath me.
"I was wondering whose black stallion that was in the stables?" I heard Arthur asked one of the sailors. The sailor pointed towards me and I cursed, Arthur started to head towards me, I pulled the hood of my cloak further down my eyes.
"Excuse me miss, but I was wondering if that was your black stallion in the stables," He said and I nodded, "I'm curious to what your name is. Mine is Arthur."
"I'm sorry I don't feel so well," I said pretending to be sick and attempting to run towards the door. He stepped in front of me stopping me, "Excuse me Sir."
"I'd just like to know your name," He replied crossing his arms and reaching his hand towards my hood.
"Don't touch me Arthur, we wouldn't want a repeat of last time," I muttered darkly, and his hand fell slowly back to his side. I pulled the hood of my cloak down and he shook his head.
"Of all the places to meet again," He said sourly, "Why are you heading towards Gristonia?"
"That is none of your business," I replied my eyes narrowing as he crossed his arms again, "Get out of my way." He stepped aside and let me walk away. I was surprised at first that he moved, but I rushed back to my room dodging Tristan as he came out of his room. He did a double take but I was moving to quickly for him to actually realize who I was. Entering my room I slammed my fist against the wall again, denting it slightly. I sat down on my bed and leaned my back against the wall; I pulled my legs to my chest and hugged them.
Arthur came down to the level of Tristan's room and entered it.
"Arthur," Tristan said looking up from cleaning his sword.
"I want you to do me a favor Tristan," Arthur said sitting next to him on his bed, "When we reach port there will be a person getting off the ship in a black cape, possible with the hood up. Follow that person for me," Arthur said, "Then report back to me when they finally stop moving."
"Any particular reason?" Tristan asked looking at Arthur through strands of his hair.
"Just a personal interest," Arthur said, "Thank you my friend." He stood up and left Tristan staring at his gleaming sword.
It took awhile to post this because I was lazy. I did promise that you would find out who she was in this chapter but I added some more stuff so it's the next chapter. But! I'm posting that one with this one because I feel bad. Anyway…Gristonia is a country I made up that is smack dab in the middle of the current English Channel. In all the maps I researched I couldn't find out the old name of the English Channel so I just kept it. Dubris is a town in southern Great Britain. Gabral is a port in Gristonia. Gristonia has a king, Queen two Princesses and one Prince. What ever I write does not portray my feelings or thoughts of men or government, it was just a plot line. Sorry for the longness, but I edited the chapter before this so you might want to go back and check it for changes. Message me with any questions.