Frowning at the work dress Vanora had insisted she wore, Amaya left her new chamber which she shared with another maid, then went to the kitchens to receive her chores. Vanora shouted and hollered at random people, barking out her orders before spinning around, peering closely at Amaya who bowed her head with respect. "Ah, you're Galahad's sister. Well then, you'd better take this." The fiery redhead shoved a large basket into Amaya's hands which she took easily despite its weight. "Don't think just because you're Gal's sister you can get away with being lazy and neglectful."
"I wouldn't even dream of such a thing milady." Amaya answered. Vanora arched an eyebrow then smirked slightly at Amaya's slightly sarcastic reply.
"Alright off with you, collect the dirty laundry from the knight's quarters then get washing. You'll have to finish every room but be mindful of what comes from where. If you jumble up the knights' clothes, they will not be very happy if you give Dagonet Galahad's breeches."
"Understood." Amaya nodded then turned around and headed for the barracks, stepping lightly with her basket propped on her hip. Whenever she passed some guards she would bow her head but keep moving, preferring to simply remain unnoticed.
In the sleeping quarters there were rows of beds in several rooms, each one with a basket of clothes that needed a good scrub. Several other maids attended each basket so Amaya kept walking until she was in the knight's quarters where she stopped at the first door. Vanora had said that this one would be Dagonet, so she lifted her hand and gently knocked on the door.
"Enter." His warm voice drifted through the door so Amaya stepped inside quietly.
"I am here to wash your clothes." She explained simply as Dagonet blinked in surprise then rose to his feet.
"Maya, what are you doing? This is a maid's work." He asked in confusion, taking in Maya's plain dress and the basket on her hip.
"I am a maid. I work for a wage so that I can provide for myself and pay for Arluin's stabling." Amaya informed him, lifting her head a little. "Galahad was reluctant but I insisted. I do not live off of charity."
"If it is money you require, you only have to ask for it."
"It is what I want." She replied then looked to the basket which was nearly overflowing with clothes. Dagonet smiled as she stepped forwards then emptied the clothes into her larger basket. She took one shirt then wrapped the other clothes inside it like a bundle so that she knew that all of these clothes belonged to Dagonet. "I wish you well, Sir Dagonet."
"Please, just Dagonet. If you insist on being a maid then I can hardly stop you, however by right you can claim the title of nobility as Galahad's sister, so let us at least be on familiar terms." Smiling Amaya nodded her head.
"Alright then Dagonet. Good day." She turned and left, quietly shutting the door behind her. She visited each room which were all vacant so she silently went in, collected the clothes, bundled them up then continued on her way. The last door was Tristan's and she paused before knocking. When she received no answer she strode inside and instantly took all the washing away into her basket. As she turned, however, something caught her eye.
His bow lay on the table, perfectly modelled in the Sarmatian fashion. How had he made it last all these years? Maybe he had carved it himself. Stepping forwards Amaya cast her eye over it carefully, admiring the workmanship as she shifted her basket into one hand then reached out to touch it. She stopped halfway, frowning then silently scolded herself. It was not her place to touch another man's weapon. Especially a Sarmatian's.
Turning around Amaya took several steps towards the door before she lifted her head and froze, staring at Tristan before lowering her head again. "I apologise."
"I would have been angry had you actually laid a finger on my bow." He replied tersely, sliding gracefully into his room and brushing past her. At the contact he felt fire flash up his arm but he ignored it pointedly. "But since you saw better sense, I shall let it pass this once." Amaya lifted her head, not bothering to turn around to face him then strode out his room without shutting the door behind her. She heard his irritated growl before the sound of a slamming door rang in her ears so she smirked before heading towards the washroom.
The large tub of freezing water awaited her and Amaya used a bristle brush and soap to begin cleaning the men's clothes. Her sleeves rolled right back to her shoulders, Amaya was soon shivering from the cold but quickly adjusted, accepting the coldness as she worked hard to get the grime and stains from every garment.
When a stool fell over, Amaya turned and caught the shape of a small boy dart behind a rack of sheets. Her scowl softening Amaya let go of Gawain's shirt and turned around, wiping her hands and arms dry on her apron. "Come out tiny mouse." She called softly, taking a step forwards. "I do not bite." Slowly the boy peeped out from behind the sheet, wide blue eyes staring at her as his thick brownish blond hair framed his face in long locks down to his neck. Amaya smiled at the boy, lowering herself to her knees to greet him. "Do not be afraid tiny mouse." Her soft tone soothed the shy little boy and he stepped closer.
"Are you Amaya? Galahad's sister?" She nodded her head and the boy smiled nervously, looking down at his feet as he twisted his fingers into his shirt. "My papa told me about you. You saved his life."
"Dagonet?" Amaya guessed and the boy nodded.
"He saved me, you know. From a dungeon where they broke my arm." He whispered. "He's looked after me ever since so I call him papa and you saved him." The boy dug into his pocket and drew out a small wooden pendant on a black cord which he held out to her. "Thank you." Amaya reached forwards and gently lifted the necklace from the boy's hand, turning the small wooden charm over to smile at the simple yet pretty pattern of two waves mirroring another and carved groves dotting in the inner curves, a symbol also carved into the wood of the Sarmatian tongue. "He said it meant good fortune." The boy explained as Amaya lifted the necklace up then slid it over her head, tucking the charm away to keep it safe.
"Thank you, it is beautiful. Did you carve it?" He nodded his head and Amaya smiled further. "What is your name?"
"Lucan. My name is Lucan. I'm going to be a knight one day with my friend Gilly, Bors's oldest son." He explained proudly, his chest swelling with each passing word and Amaya chuckled.
"I wish you well for your future. I hope to see you turn into a great knight one day." She reached forwards and brushed her fingers against the boy's face, making him beam brightly. "Now, I have chores to do and unless you want to help me, I think you should run along before we both get into trouble with Vanora."
"I'll help, I don't mind." Lucan declared, rolling back his sleeves and Amaya chuckled again, taking the stool Lucan had knocked over then placed it beside the basin to lift him up onto.
"It's rather cold, are you sure you want to wash all these horrible clothes with me?" Lucan paused, thinking back on his decision then nodded his head.
"A good knight always helps the innocent and needy." Lucan recited then dug his hands into the water. His eyes widened and with a yelp, he whipped them back. "Cold!"
"I did warn you." Amaya laughed, keeping him balanced on the stool with her hand then continued her task, scrubbing the shirt as Lucan bravely stuck his hands back in and began to work on another of Gawain's shirts. Lucan talked all the while, keeping good company for Amaya as she was content to simply listen to the boy's sad past and hopeful future.
It took a few hours but by the time Amaya and Lucan had washed, wrung and put the clothes out to dry, their fingers were numb from the water which Amaya drained away as it was filthy beyond belief. "Go on, I will take care of everything from here. You go and play with your friends." Lucan nodded his head as Amaya dried his hands then held them towards the boiler, warming them up.
"I have enjoyed talking to you. Can I come back again?"
"If you are allowed. You must ask Vanora first." She answered wisely. "Wouldn't want to get you into trouble, would we now?"
"No." He admitted with a sigh. "I'll ask her. In fact, I'll go right now!" Watching the bright eyed boy bounce away, Amaya smiled before leaving the washing to dry so that she could press it later then return each garb to their respective owners. Vanora then sent Amaya to scrub the round chamber, so armed with a stiff hand brush and more cold water, Amaya trudged her way up the stairs, carefully carrying her pale then set to work. Everything was quiet for the scratching of her brush against the stone. She worked from one side of the room to the other, creating a dome shape around the door so that she would not leave any footprints.
However when the door on the other side of the room opened, Amaya glared at the handful of knights as they walked in, trudging mud into her hard work. Galahad stopped then looked down, guilt crossing his face. "Sorry Maya, we didn't know you were cleaning in here." She rose to her feet, brushing off her hands before sighing.
"Very well. In that case you may all take off your shoes and walk barefoot until you have found cleaner boots to wear." She told them, striding over with her brush and bucket. They blinked at her. "Now!" Startled by her brusque tone, they all pulled off their boots. Ganis stared at his bare feet, wriggling his toes before grinning at Gawain and Galahad. Shooing them away Amaya cleaned the mud away then left the room to dry with a fussy backwards glance to make sure it would be approvable by Vanora.
Amaya tarried a little to wash down the stairs also, getting rid of the boot marks before returning to Vanora who gave her another long list of chores before sending her on her way. Amaya beat out the rugs with a powerful swing, creating numerous dust clouds as the other girls struggled to even get a faint puff from their blows. After that she polished the silverware, the copperware and dusted every crease and corner on the third floor. Once that was done she took a break to eat some late lunch then continued to sweep, mop and brush until she was thoroughly exhausted however she was pleased with all that she had managed to accomplish.
As she walked with her mind set on the stables, Amaya bowed her head as she approached the Queen who walked regally with her head held high. "Lady Amaya, how strange." Guinevere greeted. "I did not know you had elected to become a maid."
"Everyone needs to earn a wage, my lady." Amaya answered simply, keeping her eyes lowered to the ground. Guinevere smiled and touched her shoulder.
"Well, perhaps you had better ask Vanora to send you up to me tomorrow, I could do with another lady in waiting as the girl with me now is run ragged. I shall let her know but you might have to remind her."
"If it be your wish, Your Grace." Amaya replied with her eyes still lowered. Guinevere hesitated before moving on, her dress sweeping along the floor and Amaya quickly took her chance to escape. Jogging all the way to the stables Amaya reached Arluin's stall with a relieved sigh. "Come, you need exercise my good friend." She said, reaching for a halter and looped it around his head and clipped a leather rope onto the bottom hook to then lead him from his stall.
Amaya took him to a training paddock where she led her horse around in circles, thinking of nothing in particular before guiding him into a trot. Amaya jogged at his side, going around and around in circles before loosening her grip on the cord to let him circle around her, pushing him on into a canter with a tap of the whip on the ground near his feet. She worked him for half an hour, switching between the gaits before letting him take a rest, coming back to his side. "Good work my friend." She murmured to him, sighing wearily. "But I think it is time both you and I were asleep in bed." So with feet dragging slightly over the ground, Amaya returned Arluin to his stall and rubbed him down, struggling to keep her eyes open.
Once Arluin was settled, Amaya began to walk back to her dorm, where a rather rickety and lumpy bed was waiting for her. The other maid was already fast asleep so Amaya moved as quietly as she could, slipping from her dress and apron before crawling under her covers, quickly finding rest only to be awoken by a shrill scream in the night.
Instantly Amaya was on her feet and striding towards the door in only her shift. "What's happened? What's going on?" The other maid squeaked in fear.
"Remain here, lock the door behind me and do not open for anyone save for me." Amaya commanded and the girl jumped out of bed, following her to the door then bolted it behind. Amaya followed the direction from where she had heard the scream, running swiftly as other girls all loitered by their doors. "Back to your rooms, bolt the doors!" Amaya ordered them and they all jumped before obeying, pale faced and wide eyed.
Amaya descended the stairs then stopped, staring at the bottom where a girl lay face down in a pool of her own blood. Rushing to her side Amaya turned her over and saw the deep gash to the girl's throat, the blood no longer spilling free due to the silence in her heartbeat.
Thundering loudly footsteps approached but Amaya paid no attention, frowning as she lifted the girl's nails and looked under them before peering at her mouth, laying her fingers against the large bruise that marked her face in an angry red glare, the shape of a hand. Lifting her head Amaya found a breakage in her skin at the back of her head, signalling she had hit her head in her fall or been thrown against the wall.
"What's happened?" Lancelot demanded then froze, seeing Amaya crouched over the dead girl. She lifted her eyes then looked back down to the girl.
"It was quick and clean. Whoever did this knows how to kill." She ran a finger above the wound, following its length. "It was instantaneous, the way you kill a wild animal that you've hunted." Standing up she took a torch from the wall then shone it on the walls. "There was no struggle, she had tried to run when she saw her attacker." As Amaya continued to inspect the walls she gestured with one hand to the girl. "There is no blood under her nails or scraps of material, he had caught her from behind with a hand to her mouth to cut off her scream."
"How do you know all this?"
"I've seen many deaths, Sir Lancelot and my father taught me how to hunt, track and see things others would miss." She answered. "The wound to her head was caused by her fall since there are no blood marks on the walls." Approaching a pile of discarded sheets, Amaya glanced them over then looked to the door that it piled in front of. It was slightly ajar so she reached out and slowly pushed it wide open.
Amaya gasped and jerked backwards, bumping into someone's solid chest. "Easy." Tristan soothed calmly in a low voice. His eyes unintentionally dropped to the low neckline of the woman's shift which revealed a little of her chest and breasts, which made Tristan's mouth water with longing. He touched her arm to draw her away but Amaya shook her head, brushing aside her initial shock then thrust the torch into Tristan's hand who arched an eyebrow at the woman, who was now striding towards the body that lay disembowelled on the ground, the stench of his innards was pungent and overwhelming but Amaya ignored it. She frowned down at the body then looked around. The desk had been rifled through, bits of paper strewn everywhere. The man had pain scratched into his face which was now as pale as freshly washed sheets.
She did not know him, though by his fine robes of dark, inky green Amaya could tell that he was a noble. Half Roman, half Briton by the looks of him. Tilting her head to the side, Amaya lifted a hand to look under his nails. She found traces of blood, so he had at least made a struggle. "Amaya, you should not be here." Arthur's voice said to her a little more forcefully than he had intended. She shot him a look but nodded her head, standing up.
"The killer found the girl spying on them, no doubt she had screamed in fear then ran but he caught up to her." Looking back to the body she sighed deeply. "And this was torture. Like a wolf ravaging at the deer." She took a step back as the king entered, glancing over the body before sighing.
"Have the bodies removed and buried. Not a word of this is to get out. Am I understood?" He said to Lancelot but he looked over to the woman who nodded her head. "And ask Vanora to clean away the blood."
"I shall do it, my lord." Amaya said to him. "Vanora will be tired and I am already up. Blood does not frighten me."
"If you are sure." Amaya nodded her head then stepped around, curtseying to both men before going to fetch some water, cloths and change into a dress and apron. When she returned to her room, the maid she shared with unbolted the door and flung it open. "What is it? What happened?"
"Someone fell down the stairs. It is nothing to worry for." Amaya lied easily, resting a hand on the girl's shoulder. "But she needs care so I am going to see to her. Get some rest, it is an early start tomorrow."
"Who is it? Are they alright?" She pestered as Amaya slid into a dress and tied her apron around her waist, lashing the ties together then turned back to the door.
"I do not know who she is and I do not know if she will be alright, she is hurt rather badly." Reassuring her, Amaya smiled and guided her back to bed by her shoulders. "Now go to sleep, you must be tired."
"Alright." She nodded her head, relaxing. Amaya smoothed back her hair then turned, leaving quietly. She carried the bucket of water then began scrubbing first in the hallway in case anyone else came passing through, she wanted to get rid of the evidence of what had really happened. The bodies had been removed and Amaya felt a cold chill tingling down her spine as she scrubbed alone in the corridor.
When she heard someone shift behind her, Amaya whirled around and lifted her brush, preparing to fling it at whoever was approaching her. When she saw Tristan standing there she lowered her mundane weapon then returned to her chore. "Is there something you need?" She asked him over her shoulder, furiously working the blood from within the creases.
"Arthur requested that I stay with you, should the one responsible for this decide to return." He replied simply then fell silent, watching Amaya as she worked and he could not help but take in her shapely, though a little underfed, form. Taking a deep breath Amaya wiped her brow then vigorously circled the bristles into the stones, not stopping until it was once again perfectly clean. She looked down to her blood filled bucket then lifted it up, walking back down to the servants' quarters to draw some fresh water from the well.
She heard Tristan following but she paid him no attention, though she was unused to such a silent presence around her like a second shadow and she was uncomfortable with the powerful feeling that he brought with him. Amaya was starting to convince herself that it was undeniable loathing. Once they were outside Amaya drained the water from her bucket away then put it aside, frowning. She didn't want to use that bucket again to draw water as it may contaminate the rest of the water down below, so instead she walked a little further to where she knew there was a pump and a fountain.
Glancing over her shoulder Tristan continued to follow so she narrowed her eyes then faced the front again, ignoring his existence. Once her pale was reasonably well cleaned, as well as the brush, Amaya turned around. Her head knocked against Tristan's chest as he growled. "Watch it."
"Stay out of my way, scout." She snapped back but then froze, her eyes widening slightly as she looked behind to the roof which was reflecting the smooth silver of the moon's rays, outlining the figure that crouched down low, pulling back the arrow on the silver lit string. Amaya did not even give Tristan the chance to turn around. She leaped onto him, tackling him to the ground and covered his body with hers as the arrow flew over their heads and clattered to the ground with a sharp hiss.
Quickly sitting up whilst straddling Tristan's waist Amaya drew a dagger tucked into the scout's belt then threw it as Tristan rolled her over and shielded her, his arms curling around her head as he watched the dagger fly. It struck the archer, where Tristan could see the blue woad markings painted onto his skin. The dagger lodged into the shoulder joint, causing the Woad to hiss in pain then scurry along the roof as Tristan leaped up then rang for the bell, toiling it loudly to alert the guards. "On the roof!" He bellowed as answering bells started to ring loudly.
Torches burst into life as guards ran onto the battlements, scanning the roof before their eyes fell on the retreating form of a shadow, gripping the dagger in his shoulder tightly. Instantly the chase erupted, men shouting and yelling to each other, communicating the intruder's location.
Amaya shook her head, recovering quietly before drawing herself to her feet. Tristan paused, glancing to her and she rolled her eyes. "Go!" Without waiting further, he ran to try and catch the intruder. Amaya drew some more water then returned to her chore, breathing deeply whilst constantly listening to the sound of rushing feet, shouts until all at once, everything fell silent.
Lifting her head she listened to the held breath the world took, an unpleasant feeling ran up her spine. Quickly Amaya finished then stowed the cleaning items away, shivering slightly with worry. Had the intruder escaped? Had he hurt anyone else? Where was Galahad?
Unable to sleep Amaya picked up her irritating skirts and ran to the knight's barracks, swallowing nervously as she raced to Galahad's door. Knowing that the chance of him being inside was slim, she tried anyway, hammering her fist on the door, praying that he would answer. When no reply came, Amaya flung the door open, swept her eyes across the empty room before racing away.
She headed for the round chamber next, thinking that after all this fuss, Arthur may be holding council. In her haste Amaya tripped over her own skirts and only just managed to keep her balance by gripping onto the wall for support before continuing her haste.
She flew up the stairs then stopped before the door, two guards standing to attention outside. "Allow me through, I must see my brother." She ordered them but they both growled.
"Away with you wench, the king is holding council." Her eyes narrowed and she gave them a wolfish snarl, her teeth bared like fangs.
"I said let me pass! I am Lady Amaya, sister to Sir Galahad."
"And I'm Sir Bors with a redheaded lover who I like to bed every night with the aim of getting as many bastards as I can." Disliking the guard's choice of insult, Amaya slapped him across the face as hard as she could, which ended with a dark bruise beginning to form.
"You should consider yourselves grateful that I shall not repeat this to Sir Bors, otherwise he may elect to decapitate you then shove a head up each of your asses." Amaya spat angrily. "Now let me through. I must see that my brother is unharmed."
"I said away with you!" The guard Amaya had struck went for his sword but Amaya was faster. She grabbed his arm then used her entire body to anchor herself down whilst throwing him to the ground then spun around, shoving the second guard out of the way then strode inside like a thunderstorm.
"Galahad!" Amaya exhaled with relief as her brother's face turned to look at her. Seeing his sister Galahad also relaxed, standing to greet her with open arms. He held her tightly in his embrace then pulled back, touching her face as Arthur continued to speak, unfazed by the disruption after he had sent the guards back to their posts, their faces dropping in shock.
"Are you harmed? Tristan told us what happened."
"I am well, I simply feared he had got more than two victims tonight." Amaya whispered, tucking her head against Galahad's shoulder. She was now exhausted so she allowed her brother to sit her down in a chair and she curled up, only just hearing his promise to take her back to her room once the council was over.
"Is it wise to have her here? She may let something slip to the other maids." Guinevere asked and Amaya instantly snapped a glare to the queen who blinked in surprise at the woman's stern look.
"I am no gossip, my lady." She drawled then turned her head away, leaning into Galahad's warm shoulder to rest her eyes some. She did not pay heavy attention to what was going on. The intruder had been caught and was now being interrogated down in the dungeons.
The first course of action was to contact Merlin, whoever that was. Once the discussions had ended and everything had been taken care of, Galahad gently pulled Amaya forwards, who whimpered in protest as he curled an arm around her back then lifted her up. Unknowingly Amaya curled closer into his warmth, yawning sleepily.
Galahad carried his sister over to the door as Tristan reached it, intending to slip away. He paused then held the door open for the younger knight, who nodded in thanks. Tristan watched the woman's face, worryingly pale though fairly serene in sleep. She looked like a legendary siren, one that would sing sailors to a watery grave.
He watched them until they were out of sight, slowly letting go of the door then turned around, walking away. She had saved his life. If Amaya hadn't pushed him down out of the arrow's path then it would have struck him and most likely killed him. She'd saved him and now he was in her debt.
And that made him furious.
Thanks for reading, please drop a comment somewhere, doesn't have to be in the box below (though preferably that would be useful, so I can read it) :)