Maia is going to be another main character, though not as much as Amaya, just so you guys all know. She's not going anywhere! Yay! Oh by the way, I don't any recognisable material from either the film industry that brought you King Arthur or even the material from the book Mort d'Arthur, which is where most of these legends and myths are written down and stuff, so yeah, I own none of that or anything else, basically, which actually is kind of sad, because it makes me very lonely...
Oh well, I still have Maya and Mai :)
For the fifth time in little over ten minutes, Maia knocked over the pile of neatly folded clothes Amaya had stacked on the table in her clumsiness. Maia squeaked then jumped away, blushing furiously as she stooped to gather everything up again. "No, let me. You just sit down." Amaya said to her, taking up the sheets, shirts and other garments before once again organising them. Maia nodded then lifted her skirts to step over a washing basket full of laundry then pulled out a chair but not before she knocked over a stack of empty baskets, making her gasp then blush even brighter in shame. "For a lady you're not the most elegant of types, are you?" Earning a small smile Amaya chuckled softly as she finished sorting the last of the pressed clothes.
She left the sheets for the other girls to sort as it was their duty then picked up two baskets, piling them on top of one another then turned around. "I'll put these away in the knights' rooms. Would you like to follow or would you rather wait here for me to come back?" Maia rose to her feet to follow, knocking over a broom in her haste making Amaya laugh a little louder, smiling broadly as she began to climb the stairs.
All rooms were luckily vacant so Amaya hurriedly put the clothes away in their chests then tossed the baskets into the nearest laundry cupboard before taking Maia's arm and leading her forwards. "I have something for you to do. You're not afraid of horses are you?" She shook her head, following curiously.
Amaya took the shy little thing to the stables where they were greeted by Jols. "My ladies." He bowed and Maia shrank back to hide behind Amaya.
"There now sweeting, Jols is a tender heart. He won't hurt you either." She assured Maia gently, patting her hand. "How is the new mare I brought you?"
"Settled and well. She seems perfectly at ease though she is drawing a lot of attention from the stallions. I put her at the far end." Jols pointed and Amaya smiled at him.
"Much obliged. Thank you for caring for them."
"T'was my honour, milady." He answered, bowing once again before stepping aside. Amaya guided Maia over to the stall where the black coated mare stood dozing, her lithe form that of a traditional Briton horse, much like Arluin.
"Here. You go inside and I'll get the brushes." Amaya murmured. "But be quiet mind, we don't want to startle her." Maia nodded her head, staring in awe at the horse then slipped through the door, bolting it behind her. The warm scent that surrounded Maia brought her deep comfort, allowing her to relax in the presence of this majestic creature.
Amaya quickly returned with various combs and brushes for the horse and she handed one to Maia, who took it then slowly began to brush the mare's coat, looking to Amaya for verification of what she was doing. Amaya smiled and nodded before going to the mare's other side and brushing away the dust her fine coat had collected.
"If you like, I will give you this mare." Amaya said in her lilting accent which soothed Maia further until she was smiling easily. "You can look after her every day, which includes feeding her, changing the waters, grooming her and making sure she exercises. If you have any questions just ask me or write them down and I shall get someone to read them to me." Maia nodded her head, transfixed by the mare's head. "I shall also let you name her anything you like. She is entirely yours." Hers? Maia had never had something entirely hers before that truly meant something. Of course she had always had jewels and dresses but they were mortal items, things that could easily be discarded but this, a real, live horse of flesh and bone, this was more than Maia could have ever dreamed of having.
Satisfied that Maia was grooming well, she showed her what the other combs and brushes were for as well as the hoof pick. "Though don't try to clean her hooves without me here, I still need to be sure of her temperament." Amaya warned. "I shall not be far, I am going to see my own horse. You carry on like you are, you're doing well." Amaya reassured her then slipped away quietly, smiling as the girl hardly even bat an eyelid.
When she turned around whilst stepping forwards she walked into someone's chest. Jumping in surprise she then narrowed her eyes. "Do you ever watch where you are going?"
"It is you who seems to have no sense of special awareness." Tristan replied darkly, scowling at her. "Galahad is looking for you. I thought you should know."
"He'll find me eventually." Amaya shrugged then stepped around the scout carefully, knowing that his eyes followed her.
"Wait." He sighed so Amaya stopped but did not turn to face him as it was easier than looking at him, which only ever caused her chest to burn and make an invisible pull towards the scout strengthen. "I want to thank you." She turned her head slightly, arching an eyebrow as he growled. "For the night you stopped that Woad's arrow from striking its mark." She nodded her head simply, not moving a muscle as Tristan watched her. Inwardly he begged her to turn around so that he could see her face, imaging his fingers loosening the tie that held her hair back to see her curling hair frame her face.
"Thank you for today." She answered in a quiet voice then finally, looked him directly in the eye. She held his gaze before continuing. "Though shooting that rider so gruesomely was unnecessary."
"He was speaking ill." Tristan retorted with a sharp snap, unable to control his emotions around her which then fuelled his anger.
"You shot him because he threatened to rape me?" She frowned at him then watched as Tristan smirked.
"Actually, I did not like how he insulted me. Twice." Amaya turned her body to face him, placing her hands on her hips.
"But you only shot him after he threatened me."
"I was in shock at the insults. No one has ever dared insult me so directly before." Tristan answered, running his fingers over his bow which he carried. Amaya's eyes were drawn to it and once again she admired its fine workmanship.
"Shock you? I doubt that to be possible." Answering smoothly she lifted her eyes to meet his.
"The world is a surprising place." Turning around Tristan made to walk away. He couldn't bare this much longer. He desired that woman more than any other before, though admittedly there were many that were finer of face and sweeter of temper than she, but something about her just screamed magnificence. Her strength shone through her, lighting each feature in a glorified power that he could not ignore. "Sir Tristan." Her soft call made him pause, only this time he did not turn around. "Your bow, who made it? I should like to purchase one."
"I did." Tristan answered, glancing her way and she paused before lowering her head.
"I see." Somehow seeing the disappointment of loss in her eyes affected him, making Tristan yearn to give her what she wanted.
"You want a bow?" She halted then lifted her eyes to his with a nod. Sighing drastically Tristan lifted his bow. "I'll carve you one." Her eyes brightened with her smile and it was reward enough for the labour he was about to endure, for making a bow as fine as a Sarmatian model was no small accomplishment. If even one chip was wrong, the entire balance was flawed.
"Thank you." She hesitated before smiling again. "Tristan." Amaya finished then turned away to greet Arluin with soft words, the horse stretching out his nose to meet her face in a velvety kiss, making her smile warmly and step closer and lean into his neck, her hand gently stroking the soft fur until she was dozing on her feet, utterly relaxed with her horse's calm yet strong presence.