Hope you guys are all having a great day, I'm hoping to make it better with another chapter, so here you go!
Someone hammered their fist on Amaya's door, awakening her as a stranger's voice called out to her. "Milady! They are attacking!" Instantly Amaya was on her feet, grabbing her bow as she ran to the door, grateful that she had slept in her clothes as she slung on a quiver, strapped her sword to her waist then raced out of her room, Maia whimpering in fear as she huddled under the covers of the other bed.
It had been an entire night and day since the front gate had been hammered down and Amaya was cursing herself inwardly. Of course Lazarus would veil their eyes with a blanket of false security. She was an utter fool! Amaya ran along the battlements faster than she could even remember, leaving behind the messenger as she saw men on the wall, tearing down the obstructions to climb up.
The men were still getting their armour on whilst the archers desperately shot arrows though they were quickly laid waste to by the swords, their weapons cutting through wood, flesh and bone. Who had dropped their guard? How was this possible? Snarling Amaya pulled back an arrow and shot several in the space of a breath, each one finding its mark. "Archers pull back, to the turrets!" Amaya bellowed and the men seemed to be relieved that she was there. "Draw swords! Swords!" She shot one last arrow then slid forwards along the blood stained ground, holding her bow at an angle as she rose up slightly, stretching one leg forwards as she knelt then released the arrow into someone's mouth, shoving them aside.
When she heard the clanking of metal grating slowly, she knew what the aim was. Raise the gate. "Do not let them in! Archers, aim for the-" Her order was cut off when a heat sliced across the back of her shoulder, making her cry out then whirl around, facing the large, imposing warrior as he lifted his sword again. The only reason she was still alive was because the man was injured and bleeding badly, unable to lift his sword to its full height. Amaya whacked her bow across his face, making his lip split and burst with blood before she drew her sword and stabbed it through his gut.
"To the levers! The levers!" She bellowed and archers turned to the south where soldiers looked down to the ground lever, which was a large wheel set on the wall. Taking a deep gulp of air Amaya threw herself off the side of the wall and descended, falling to the ground where she slammed into one of the men, breaking her fall. Slinging her bow on her back in one swift, fluid movement Amaya slashed her sword, making the soldier leap back and she took the lever, pulling it back to let the wheel spin back and lower the gate once more the few feet it had risen.
As the soldier lunged for her Amaya slashed her blade, catching his cheek and splitting it open but she had to leap back to avoid the sword that was aimed at her neck, letting go of the lever. The loud groaning of metal stopped and Amaya turned, growling as she lunged forwards with her short blade, fighting to regain control of the mechanism.
"Amaya!" Someone called her name but she could not discern who it was over the roar and clashing of battle, the thick stench of blood revolting her nose and tongue as it settled in the back of her mouth. Her sword clashed against the other, driving him back but the moment he put all of his strength into a single swing, Amaya ducked and rolled, slashing the back of his leg open to fell him to his knees then turned, slicing her blade and severed his head.
"Maya!" She looked up and saw Daniel on the battlements, struggling to keep several opponents back with his shield, Lionel by his side as well as several other of her soldiers. "Archers, look to the north west!" She called up and some archers turned, instantly shooting down some of the men that were about to force Daniel, Lionel and the others over the edge. "I need men down here to guard the mechanism! Let no man open that gate!" Amaya gasped for air, reaching back to clutch her shoulder. It looks like she will have to be shooting with the bow in her other hand to be able to draw back the arrows.
Several men came forwards and positioned themselves around the wheel and Amaya pulled back, trying to stop the flow of blood by pressed her back firmly against the wall, grunting with the sharp sting until she felt the heat gushing down her back as blood stop.
A sudden wave of enemy men swarmed over her and Amaya fought them back, whirling around in a circle to grant herself some space then slashed her blade, knocking others aside as they lunged for her. "Maya! Hold on Maya!" She heard Galahad yell but she did not dare break her concentration, knowing that if she did, she would be signing her own death warrant. Galahad came thundering forwards with a group of men around him, cutting their way through until her brother grabbed Amaya into his arms, holding her close as she slipped her arm over his neck and let him pull her away to safety.
"Maya, you need to get out of here!" Galahad yelled over the battle, stopping to lift his shield to block a sword whilst Amaya thrust her sword into his gut. She shook her head defiantly.
"No, I'm alright."
"Maya…" Galahad began but stopped when they both heard the gate being raised.
"No!" Amaya screeched, bounding forwards. "Close the gate! Get the gate closed!" Some men broke off from the main core of battle to try and take down the soldiers spinning the wheel but it was now heavily guarded with shields and fresh men from the field, their strength not yet entirely spent.
"Lionel!" Amaya bellowed for the broad and muscular knight, hoping that he could break through their little wall of defence so that they could bring down the gate once more. Too late. Soldiers spilled through and Amaya shouted for reinforcements, taking a stand against them as soldiers ran to mount their horses further up in the town.
Amaya bat away a spear then stabbed her sword almost blindly, feeling the push and shove of men running past her. She fought her way over to the wheel, determined to get the gate closed once more. Sweat dripped like rain from her brow, stinging her eyes but she shook it away, ignoring the dancing fire on her shoulder as she ducked down and began to wriggle her way through, using her smaller, slimmer stature to her advantage.
Without warning the gate groaned before sliding down quickly, the mechanisms whirring and Amaya stared at the bodies at her feet then to Percival who held the lever. As someone jumped for him from the stairs, Amaya threw her sword, letting it glide through the air before chasing after it. Percival shrank back from the blade, letting it fly past him then it slammed into the soldier's chest all the way to the hilt.
"Good work Percival." Amaya grunted, dragging her sword free. He nodded his head then stepped back from the lever, lifting his shield and slammed it into someone to stun them so that Amaya could finish them off, his arm then wheeling around to strike the curved edge of his shield into another soldier's throat, causing the windpipe to collapse and a quick slash to the throat finished him off. Amaya climbed up the stairs then began to shoot arrows, carefully drawing back to make sure she had the right aim as she was unused to using her other hand, she had not needed to use it in a long time and she cursed herself for not practicing.
"Rus!" She bellowed, lifting her bow up into the air, its shape illuminated by the light of the full moon. "Rus! Rus! Rus! Rus!"
"Rus!" Galahad roared back, saluting with his sword briefly before diving back into the fight. Amaya continued the chant and somehow, the men found the strength and breath to join in, chanting until it was a thunderous battle cry that even the gods up above would be able to hear from their starlit thrones.
Amaya dived back into battle, new strength coursing through her veins and she fought like a demon, her face soon more blood than skin as she sliced her way through her enemies, determined not to lose this fight.
Then all at once, there was silence. Not one sword sang, not one whisper uttered nor did an arrow hiss through the air. Just silence. Upon seeing that they once again emerged victorious, Amaya and her men cheered to the sky, roaring at the top of their lungs in celebration.
Completely exhausted, Amaya struggled not to collapse. Galahad came rushing to her side and she embraced him, holding back a hiss of pain as he clutched her wounded shoulder. When he drew back he smiled to her. "We have done it again."
"Yes." Amaya nodded. "Same procedure, I need counts of weapons, wounded and dead. Drop the enemy soldiers over the side, they can deal with their own." Amaya said then touched her head, suddenly feeling dizzy.
"Maya? Do you need to rest? Are you injured?" She shook her head quickly.
"No, I am perfectly well. Where are Lionel and Daniel?"
"Right here." Lionel grunted, limping forwards with Daniel clutching his side where he seemingly held himself together with his hand.
"Healer, now." She ordered, pointing them away. "No more fighting until you are fit." They nodded their heads, too tired to argue with her. "You there, help my brothers." Amaya pointed to a pair of soldiers who were checking the dead but when they felt Amaya's eyes locking on them, they bounded forwards and slung an arm of each of the men over their necks to help them hobble away weakly.
Drawing in a deep breath Amaya turned to Galahad. "Gather everyone together. We need to decide what next to do." He nodded his head.
"Go and wash. You look like hell just spat you out." She grimaced, trembling slightly before turning away, calling out her orders before leaving Galahad to take charge for the moment. Amaya pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, not wanting to frighten anyone as she slipped by though when she reached the castle, practically everyone was asleep or at least trying to be, seeing as the fear of the outcome of the battle still weighed heavy on them but when the news came that they were successful, they relaxed and found it easier to rest.
Amaya did not wait to boil the water, she washed herself clean in cold water, the iciness helping to soothe the pain of her shoulder wound. She was just drying herself when Maia knocked and entered. "Oh Lord!" She cried then dashed over, seeing the fresh cut on Amaya's back as she covered herself. "You're hurt? Does Galahad know? Shall I fetch a healer?"
"No and he is not going to know. I can manage." Amaya assured her. "Just need something to bind it."
"Here." Maia went to the dresser and withdrew fresh linen bandages. "I thought that you might need these sooner or later so I stocked up on supplies. Just hold there and I shall treat it for you." Maia carried the bandages over then retrieved some herbs and something to dress the cut in to keep out infections. She made Amaya chew the herbs which were bitter, saying they would help ease the pain and give her strength as she gently rubbed the healing oil onto the wound before dressing it with the bandage. Once she was done Amaya put on some clean clothes.
"I shall wash these for you." Maia said, gathering the bloodied cltohes Amaya had discarded.
"Thank you Mai. What would I do without you?" She snorted, shaking her head.
"Bleed to death. You silly thing. If you do not wish to tell the others of your wounds at least tell me so I can treat them. I have been helping the healers and they have taught me a few things. I am confident I can keep you from killing yourself until Arthur comes back." Amaya chuckled, smiling at her.
"Very well. I shall be sure to let you know. I must go now." Amaya stopped to kiss Maia's brow before striding towards the round chamber. On her way a few commoners stepped in her way.
"Brave lady, please tell us, do we have any hope at all?"
"There is always hope." Amaya murmured to them softly, resting her hand against the old woman's face. "And I have not lost mine, so have heart. We are well protected here." She assured them strode on again. Inside Amaya winced. The Woads still had not answered her plea for aid, did that mean they were alone?
As Amaya entered the chamber she sighed, listening to the shouting and arguing. Guinevere sat there looking completely lost but when she saw Amaya, she breathed a large sigh of relief. "Enough!" Amaya roared, slamming her fist onto the table and everyone was silenced. "Arguing will divide us. We must remain united. All of you, pull yourselves together!" She glared at everyone in turn and they nodded their heads. "Good. Now, I have one last plan. It shall buy us more time until either we get a reply from the Woads or I come up with something new." Amaya looked around then grinned. "In fact, you are my inspiration." The knights frowned at her.
"What are you thinking, Amaya?" Lionel asked her gently, kicking out a chair for her to sit down. With a pang Amaya realised that this was the chair that Tristan always sat in. It even had a carving of a Sarmatian symbol scratched into the underside of the wood which Amaya lifted her hand to trace, thinking the meaning in her head.
Liberty.
"We must divide their ranks. Make them argue and fight with one another." Amaya explained. "Much like you all do sometimes though on a greater scale. Guinevere, we will need gold from the treasury. If there is one thing men will fight over, it is gold." With a sigh she nodded.
"For the good of the people." She ruled. "But all that can be retrieved must be gathered back, we will need all the money we can claim to repair the damage done." Amaya nodded her head.
"Don't worry, even if they get it, they won't be going very far." Amaya answered. "You men can hurl all the insults you like them, get them to turn on each other." She groaned quietly. "If only Bors were here." Lionel grinned.
"I am a very good substitute. You wait and see." Amaya smirked with a nod of her head.
"Any more suggestions?"
"Wine. Throw them wine flagons." Galahad said, smirking dangerously. "Let them drink themselves insane."
"Perfect. I shall entrust you, Gawain and Ector to this task. Spare no expense, we have an army to drown in drink." Amaya lifted her head, arching her eyebrow at the others. "Anything else?" They glanced to one another then shook their heads. "Alright. We start at dawn. This time, we are going to start the attack. I want them drunk and fighting each other before they have even had their morning belch." They all grinned at her.
"Aye sir!" They cheered then thumped their chests. "Rus!"
"Rus." Amaya answered boldly, bowing her head to them all. "It has been an honour fighting by your sides. Should any one of us be taking to meet our makers, I pray that you'll have the good sense to tell them to piss off until we catch up with you." Lionel chortled with laughter, spluttering as the others grinned up at her.
"Aye, aye!" Daniel cheered then leaped to his feet, thumping his chest once more. "To Amaya!"
"Amaya!" The other men all bounded to their feet and pounded a heavy fist to their chest, chorusing Daniel's praise and the woman blushed slightly.
"Alright you sorry sods." She cut them off. "Get to work but make sure you rest plenty as well." Suddenly the doors burst open and Lucan came running in with Gilly close behind.
"Maya! Maya! It's a letter that came by messenger bird!" Gilly cried and Guinevere rose to her feet. "It's from the Woads!" Amaya looked to Guinevere who nodded and the woman took it from the boys, bringing it over to Guinevere who stood, took it gently from her hand then unrolled it. After a moment, Amaya asked.
"What does it say?" Suddenly Guinevere gave a broad grin.
"My people are here."