Glad you guys are liking this, not so much of Tristan in this chapter I'm afraid, please don't kill me! There'll be plenty more of him in the future, I promise!
Scowling at her reflection Amaya turned, wondering how on earth women walked in these ridiculous things. The skirts clung to her legs as she walked, making it difficult for her to move when she was used to the freedom of simple breeches. The dark grey dress of fine velvet was trimmed around the neckline with a silver brocade with sewn in glass beads. The sleeves clung to her arms and the square neckline accented her shape though she found a plain black shawl from within her bag, shook out the dust then wrapped it around her to hide her exposed chest. The laces at the back had been drawn taut, making it difficult for Amaya to breathe in the corset. She swore she was going to suffocate in this damn thing.
Cursing under her breath Amaya kicked aside the jewel encrusted slippers and returned her boots to her feet, lacing them up before striding forwards, her hair once more pulled back into a plait. The maid stood outside her door but jumped with a squeak when Amaya flung it open. "Milady." She curtseyed but Amaya waved her hand.
"Please don't. I feel like a damn signet dressed in the feathers of a peacock." The girl began to laugh then quickly clapped a hand to her mouth, swallowing the reaction with a nervous smile.
"If you'd just follow me, I'll take you to the round chamber." Nodding her head Amaya followed the girl who walked quickly, making Amaya jog to keep up. Neither spoke, mainly because Amaya did not know what to say. She was not very good with strangers it took a while for her to relax and become comfortable in their presence and even then she was normally too shy to join in with even the most basic of conversation.
That was mainly the reason why she hid behind a stern façade, it allowed her to appear intimidating enough for people to simply leave her alone. Taking a deep breath Amaya descended the stairs, glancing at the warm stone walls lit by the firelight of torches. It was rather chilly at first since the halls were so wide but Amaya soon adjusted. She was used to far worse, the cold hardly bothered her anymore no matter what the temperature.
The serving girl stopped before a single door, biting her lip. "Here we are milady."
"Thank you." Amaya said in her heavily accented voice, touching the girl's shoulder as she looked down. Suddenly she gasped, making Amaya pause with a frown. "What is it?"
"Your shoes! You cannot go in wearing those, they do not match your dress!" Amaya frowned in genuine confusion.
"So?"
"Did you not like the slippers milady?" Snorting softly Amaya turned her head.
"They pinched my toes." Reaching out Amaya opened the door, earning another gasp.
"Milady!" She reached forwards and grabbed the door, pulling it closed once more. "You are not meant to open the door yourself, it is unladylike! You have to wait for a gentleman to arrive so that he may escort you in." Rolling her eyes Amaya grabbed the handle and twisted it, lifting the latch and strode inside despite the maid's protests.
She walked like a breeze towards the round table. The chamber was large and spacious though rather empty save for a banner fluttering between the two large windows which Arthur sat before, bathed in the red as he looked up and smiled in welcome, Guinevere on his right hand. Amaya stopped, looking to the many chairs then stepped forwards, running a hand on the ornate wood with curiosity, tracing it around the curve silently as the knights watched her. "It is beautiful." She informed the king, lifting her eyes to meet his. "What does it mean?"
"That we all sit here as equals." Arthur explained with a proud look in his eyes and smile. "That no matter who you are or how high your birth is, no man is worth more than another." Nodding her head Amaya looked around, wondering where she should sit. Opting for the place beside her brother she approached him and he stood, pulling back the chair for her to sit down in before gently pushing it against her legs as she sat down.
"Quite the gentleman you've been turned it, little wolf." Amaya said to him quietly, leaning towards him as he sat down and he ducked his head to hers, smirking.
"Living this noble life makes you pick up a thing or two." Smiling softly Amaya lifted her head, glancing around. All the knights sat around the table with a few newer faces that Amaya did not recognise. Come to think of it, she did not even know the names of most of them.
As if hearing her thoughts, Arthur stood, lifting his goblet with a welcoming smile and all the men stood also. "Friends, today we gather in celebration of reunion." He turned and nodded to Amaya who quickly lowered her eyes, staring at her hands in her lap. "Of long lost siblings once again together. This meal I dedicate to the memory of loved ones, both near and far. May we all meet again someday, in this life or the next." Arthur paused before calling out. "To family!"
"Family!" Everyone chorused then drank deeply from their wine. Amaya watched, frowning at her brother as he drained it cup then sat down with a contented sigh. He shot her a bright smile then arched her eyebrow at her look.
"I do not like knowing you are all grown up, little wolf." She decided firmly, turning her head away. "I have missed so much of your life."
"Well, you're a part of it now." Galahad said, resting his hand on her shoulder. "So there are many more years for you to be a part of, as I would like to be a part of yours." Nodding her head Amaya continued to look down. She fiddled with the sleeve of her dress, not looking up when a bowl of thin soup was placed in front of her. She lifted the spoon curiously, frowning at it as she turned its metallic surface to reflect the light.
"Galahad?" She turned to look at her brother. "What the hell is this?" Galahad and several other knights spluttered with laughter, choking on their food at Amaya's perfectly serious expression. She glanced around, seeing that people were using the item to carry the soup to their mouths. Why not just lift the bowl to their lips?
"It's a spoon, sister." Galahad answered, still grinning and chuckling. "Here, like this." He scooped up some soup then drew it from the grove with his lips, arching his eyebrows at Amaya who frowned.
"Why not just drink it?" The knight shrugged simply.
"It's not polite or good manners." Not wanting to offend the king and his wife, Amaya slowly drew some soup into the cradle of the spoon then lifted it, allowing the excess to drip before tilting her head forwards. Taking a careful sip Amaya continued to frown before consuming the ladle and swallowing. "Good?" She nodded her head simply, fixating her gaze on her soup.
"My lady." Arthur called out and Amaya looked up, blinking in surprise. The king was addressing her? "We have not properly introduced ourselves. My name is Arthur and this is my beloved wife Guinevere." Arthur gestured with his hand to his left and Lancelot smirked.
"I am Lancelot. Captain of the guard and the one always saving Arthur's neck." The two shared a comical look before the knight on Lancelot's right grinned.
"They call me Bors. This here is my lover Vanora."
"Wife." She scowled at him. "I'm your wife now you bullhead." Bors merely chuckled then pulled her into a kiss, making Amaya blink then frown at Galahad who shrugged.
"I'd get used to it if I were you. Vanora runs the household along with Guinevere. If you were serious about working for a wage, you should speak to her." Silently she nodded her head. "Next we have Dagonet. I hear you met on the road?"
"Your sister saved my life, Galahad." Dagonet answered with a gentle voice though loud enough for everyone to hear. "Along with Tristan. She has aim to be proud of."
"It was nothing." Amaya excused feebly, fighting to hide her blush.
"You can shoot?" Galahad asked in surprise. Amaya bit her lip before nodding her head.
"Someone had to hunt for the clan." Galahad's mouth dropped open in surprise then grinned.
"What other weapons can you use? Sword? Daggers?" His pace quickened with excitement, abandoning his soup to turn and face Amaya who continued to look down, carefully putting her spoon down.
"I am best with bow and arrow." She said simply.
"But father did train you? He did, didn't he?" Galahad pressed his sister who sighed before nodding her head.
"I am best with bow and arrow." Repeating her statement Amaya lifted her eyes and fixated on the knight who sat beside Dagonet. She waited for him to understand the question flickering in her dark blue eyes.
"Oh, right. I'm Ganis ma'am. I mean, milady." He stumbled sweetly, earning a gentle smile from Amaya who nodded her head in greeting. Next was Gawain, who gave her his name with a wide smile. Last was Tristan, who sat next between Gawain and Galahad. He sent her a cool look before nodding his head once. "That's Tristan. He doesn't speak much." Galahad said. Amaya nodded her head in understanding then remained silent throughout the rest of the courses though her eyes did slowly glance over to the scout, Lancelot's words about him drifting back into her mind but she shoved them aside and looked away again before he could catch her staring. Galahad glanced over to her with a concerned gaze, wondering if she felt ill.
"Maya? Are you well?" He gestured to her plate of steamed vegetables and venison. "You're not eating and you're rather quiet."
"I am always quiet, Galahad."
"You never used to be. I remember as a child you were always laughing and talking, telling your stories and singing songs around the fire." Galahad reached across and took her hand tenderly. "What happened to you?" She sighed, lifting a hand to rub her face wearily.
"You left." She answered simply. "And once you were gone, I had no reason to sing. No reason to laugh. For a long time I was my own company and silence was my better companion." Chocking back a sob Amaya leaned against her brother, who wrapped his arms about her as she slumped, too tired to remain upright. "I'm so tired, little wolf." Galahad rested his cheek atop her head, sensing her weariness. "I ache from the journey that took me over continents and oceans just to find you."
"I'll take you to your room, then. You should rest." Galahad murmured gently, rubbing her arm lovingly. "You've had a long journey and do not look well." Nodding her head Galahad excused them both from the table then laced his arm around Amaya's waist, who lowered her head as she drifted along with her brother, not entirely sure where she was going. "Do you have a fever? You aren't ill, are you?"
"I am fine, little wolf. Honestly, all I need is some good rest and I shall be as right as rain." She assured him though she leaned dependently on his shoulder. Her head rested on his shoulder as he carefully guided her forwards. "I've missed you Galahad. It's been a lonely seventeen years."
"Agreed." Galahad murmured. "So, you never married? No children?" She shook her head, sighing.
"I was not going to give up any son of mine to the Romans. I'd rather die alone and unloved than have them take him away the way they took you. I would have fought them, killed them if necessary but then they would have burned the clan to cinders, so it was better to just never have a child."
"Well, you're safe from their grasps here. You could always change your mind now and have a family." He paused. "If I approve of your choice of husband, of course. They have to be worthy to love my sister." Amaya chuckled richly, something she had not done for a long, long time. It felt strange at first but she quickly became accustomed to it once more. "Do you think you will like it here?"
"Well, it is warmer than Sarmatia though it rains more." She mused quietly, making Galahd grin. "But yes. I think I could be happy here."
"Good. Because I do not want you to be anywhere else. It's been seventeen years, Maya, we have to make up for the lost time. How about you come on a ride with me tomorrow? I'll show you the city."
"I have no saddle fitted for Arluin." She reminded him gently. "And it is not good to ride bareback, it could damage his spine."
"Then you can ride with me." Galahad replied easily, smiling. Amaya paused before nodding.
"I should like that."
"Good. Breakfast is served in the round chamber at eight, a maid will come and bring you there then we can ride afterwards." Amaya smiled at her brother, taking in his youthful features though he was most definitely a man. No longer the sweet, round faced and curly haired boy she had grown up to know.