An entire week passed and everyday Amaya would return to her friend with new bruises and wounds, the worst being a cut to her thigh which had narrowly missed the major veins there. The woman kept herself doped up with pain relief herbs just to help her get through one more battle.
The others had insisted that she sit some of the fights out but the first time she had tried, they had almost lost the lower quarter until she came charging in with the mounted soldiers with lances, sawing down the intruders and taking back the sector. From then on, she always overlooked the battles, even if she did not always have the strength to fight.
She felt like she was failing but others assured that she was doing more than most seasoned warriors could achieve. She still did not believe it was enough. At one point more troops had arrived to fight for Lazarus, a total of a hundred fresh men with more arrows, weapons and supplies. Vanora was managing to keep everyone fed but only just. Sometimes those higher up the ranks went hungry just to give a ravenous child a meal.
The healers were beginning to run low on supplies and were relying heavily on whatever they could scrounge from kitchens and villagers who offered up any useful herbs or foods that could be used in an effort to play their part. Amaya commended them publically, praising their selflessness and promised that no harm would befall them whilst she still lived and breathed.
Guinevere kept up moral by going around troops and blessing them, leading songs for the villagers and organised great stories to be told to the children to distract them from the war at their doors. Amaya was exhausted both mentally and physically. She no longer had any ideas and every time the knights would look to her hopefully, she would shake her head and their smiles would disappear altogether. It crushed her to see them so disappointed and she fought to find a new solution.
It had been three weeks since Arthur had left and Amaya was beginning to think he would be too late. After today, there would be no strength left in any of them to fight on. "Maia." Amaya croaked from the hearth, leaning against her arm dependently to soothe her aching head. "Pack a bag that you can carry and start organising the women and children together. You are all leaving through the tunnels." Amaya said hoarsely and Maia nodded her head, looking down at her feet as she realised what this meant. They were finished. "They are just too strong, Mai, we are not enough to hold them back any longer. I…I do not know what else to do."
"Come with us." Maia begged, running to Amaya who turned and welcomed her friend into her arms, flinching as pain shot through her but she pushed it aside. "Do not remain here to die."
"Do not fear for me. I made you a promise that you would live and I intend to keep it. Do as I say quickly, you will not have much time. Only take what you need and…" Amaya picked up the gold filled purse she had recovered from her room and turned it over to Maia. "This should keep you and Galahad living comfortably should you be unable to find Arthur. Keep Guinevere safe with you." Maia burst into tears, clutching Amaya tightly and she rocked the sobbing woman calmly, drawing her closer before pushing her away. "I am sorry it has to be like this." Amaya marvelled at herself for not weeping like she wanted to. She did not know how she kept herself together. Perhaps she had simply grown accustomed to wearing the mask.
Maia nodded her head, still wiping her eyes as she sobbed before darting away to begin the preparations. Amaya found Galahad all ready to leave with Guinevere and a decent guard to keep them safe. Amaya looked at her brother who sighed.
"I cannot pursued you to leave with us."
"My place is here, little wolf." Amaya whispered to him gently. "But my heart will go with you and it shall remain by your side forevermore. This time, not even death shall part us." Galahad dragged her close, kissing her face again and again as he struggled to keep himself composed.
"Oh Maya, sweet sister, please do not do this. Please do not sacrifice yourself."
"I swore an oath to the men, they need me now more than ever, little wolf. I cannot abandon them in fear of my own life." Amaya murmured to him. "Have heart, I shall be fighting beside Gawain. We shall watch out for one another and if today ends with our blood on someone else's sword then so be it, but we would have died for a great cause and side by side. I shall not be alone." Her words brought little comfort but Galahad was eased a little. Enough so that he let her go.
"We shall never forget you Maya, as long as I shall live, I will always remember you. This time I won't forget, I'll keep you in my memories and heart until the day I die." Amaya nodded her head then leaned forwards, kissing his cheek before whispering in his ear.
"Galahad, will you tell Tristan something for me?" Her brother stiffened but she felt him nod his head next to her so she swallowed the bile in her throat and took a breath. "Tell him I wished it could have been different and tell him…tell him…I don't know really. Let him know that I am grateful for all he did for me and for not abusing me." She scowled to herself then sighed. "Or something like that."
"I'll let him know. I understand what you're trying to say." Galahad murmured to her gently, resting a hand on her hair. "You love him." Amaya gasped quietly, tensing at the suggestion. It was absurd, completely untrue! Amaya was not in love with Tristan surely? She had not known him all that long yet…yet why did she find herself secretly agreeing with Galahad? Perhaps he was right. Maybe the reason why Amaya's heart ached more with the knowledge that she will never see Tristan again rather than losing her own brother? It was unnatural feelings, something she did not understand but wanted to and she wanted to understand the pain and longing she had often felt in her chest when around him, more than anything else in the world.
Looking up at Galahad she was about to answer when the call to arms came. "I must go now." She whispered, kissing his brow. "Live well and long for me." With one last look at her beloved brother's face she then turned and hurried away, racing to get to the battlefront with her bow clutched tightly in her hand until her knuckles were white. Ector and Kay were to leave with the women and children to make sure of Guinevere's escape so she stood facing Lionel, Gawain, Daniel and Percival, each of them solemn faced.
"I want you all to know that I do not regret a single moment of this." She murmured gently to them, kissing each on the cheek in a sisterly fashion. "And I am proud to die beside you." They all nodded their heads then reached out to place a hand on one another's shoulders until they were all linked together in a circle. Amaya smiled warmly to them all, gazing at their faces with love.
"And it has been the greatest honour to fight alongside a warrior as fearless and noble as you." Percival said to her. "And I thank you all for this chance to redeem the mistakes of my father, even if I am to die by his hand." With nothing more to say, they all broke free and moved forwards.
Amaya stood at the battlements alone, looking down to the army as it began its advance, arrows knocked and ready to go. At least this time they were not alight. She remembered last night Lazarus had sent volley after volley of flaming arrows, igniting the rooftops of the village houses whereby the townsfolk had surrendered their safety to help battle the flames, carrying pales of water to douse the inferno as Amaya held the frontline.
"Any man who stand beside me now will stand as my brother." Amaya said as she turned to face the admittedly terrified men. "And I could think of no better men to die beside. This is our last. The last stand we shall take together as one and in the name of all the gods there ever was, let's make it a good one!" They cheered in appreciation at Amaya's courage which suddenly flew through her body like wildfire, catching every fibre of her being as she stepped forwards. "I am not afraid to die, let's find out who really lives up there, shall we? Then we'll sing and make merry in the next life together and laugh in the face of anyone who ever wronged us. This is our last stand, our last battle cry, let me hear you roar!" Amaya thrust her banner in the air, waving it proudly as the dragon danced on the scarlet cloth, bright and blazing as the sun rose over the castle and set the colours alight.
The men bellowed, thumping metal fists to their chests, pounding the butts of their spear to the ground and hitting their shields rhythmically as the sound echoed across the hills, riding on the wings of the breeze until the sound lifted the heads of those far, far away.
"For King Arthur!"
"King Arthur!" Amaya sucked in a deep breath and bellowed again, lifting her sword into the air.
"For King Arthur!"
"Arthur! Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!" Turning around Amaya flicked her banner around, sheathed her sword then with all the might she could muster, threw it like a javelin over the wall. The banner arched through the air, the bright red dancing before the men's eyes until it buried deep into the ground at their feet, making a few leap back in fear, staring before pushing their way around it. The demon woman had touched it, they did not want to draw its bad luck.
"Archers!" Amaya cried and they pulled back their arrows. "Full volley! Loose!" In their last stand Amaya released her arrows until the sky was blackened by the hive that descended upon the army, the last few arrows hitting their marks as Amaya called for the last of the arrows to be conserved. "Aim for Lazarus and his generals, take those bastards down! I'll buy a drink for whoever can hit them in the manhood!" A hearty laugh met Amaya as archers took up the challenge.
"Prepare your swords! Archers fall back to the lower wings, keep shooting!" Amaya called and the archers dispersed, leaving her alone to face the ladders whilst swordsmen raced up to join her. The knights and Amaya stood shoulder to shoulder. "Any confessions?" Amaya questioned.
"Just one." Lionel grunted. "I really need to take a…"
"Too late!" Amaya called then sprung forwards, swinging her sword then lashed out with her fist, slamming it into a soldier's face and threw him from the ladder. "Try and cut the ladders off! Push them down! Push them down!" Gawain and the others bellowed out Amaya's orders again, their voices carrying much further so the strongest of men, not for the first time, tried to push the heavy ladders from the walls.
Amaya's sword was soon stained with blood and although the air reeked with the rustic taste, she hardly noticed it anymore. Not even the sweat bothered her, seeing as she had worked herself into a reasonably fit state and she could battle for longer without tiring so easily, which was useful since she had battled practically every day and also most nights for nearly two weeks solid.
Perhaps the rain that had fallen had overflowed the rivers and cut Arthur off and slowed the army down. She hoped he had found a fast way across and would be here as today was his last chance. Although fighting valiantly, her men just simply did not have the strength. They were fighting exhaustion as well as their enemies so Amaya drove herself harder on their behalf. She still had strength, somewhere deep inside her. She will not give up hope, not yet!
With a devilish snarl Amaya kicked an opponent aside then turned her spine towards the floor, allowing a blade to pass over her before she flicked her sword around then stabbed backwards, quickly drawing it free to slash wildly at anyone who came near her.
Suddenly her men were falling, crying out in pain as they were tossed aside and Amaya gasped, sweat stinging her eyes as she looked around her. Then she heard the beautiful cry of a hawk and she looked up. Tristan's hawk. "Please…" She whispered desperately then ran to the edge, looking over the edge then gasped.
A horn bellowed loudly and everyone froze in place to see the riders gallop over the hill, the horses calling out with an unearthly voice that rang power through Amaya's core, bringing light to her eyes as she smiled. "Hail Arthur! Hail Arthur!" Amaya cried and her voice was echoed by the handful of men who held the wall.
"Hail to the King! Hail to the King!" Amaya watched in awe as Arthur surged forwards, petrifying fury scratched into his features as he rode forwards, Excalibur lifted high before he brought it crashing down upon his enemies. The infantry ran over the hill after the horses, sweeping through any left standing and Amaya called down. "Open the gates! Open the gates!" Three men, including Lionel, began to turn the wheel, lifting the gate as Amaya beamed, turning and continued to fight, renewed strength fighting for her though she knew it would not last.
Her eyes flickered over the faces of those left standing but she froze in place with wide eyes. "No! She bellowed and tossed her blade forwards, striking down the solider that was about to lunge at Gawain's back with a dagger then quickly drew her bow, pulling back the arrow and firing swiftly, never pausing for breath. She turned around when she felt her quiver was empty and searched for more, frantically hoping there were perhaps a few lying about.
When heat burst through her ribs, Amaya gasped and shuddered, closing her eyes and did not dare look at the bolt that had lodged itself into her side. Going completely numb of all feeling, Amaya dropped her bow and it clattered to the floor though the noise was lost in the clashing swords and inhuman grunts around her.
"Maya!" Gawain's voice slurred in her mind as Amaya dropped to her knees, feeling blood pour down her side and she swallowed, finally opening her eyes to look up and see a man rushing at her as if he were running through treacle, his movements slowed and the outline of his shape was blurred to Amaya, though she clearly saw the sword.
Her hand brushed against something and her fingers curled around the shaft of an arrow and clutched it tightly, the pain her nails brought to her palm awakening her senses. Suddenly she saw Lazarus before her, his great sword aimed for her head.
She moved as quickly as she was able, sliding underneath the blow then drove the arrow up through his ribs and into his lung, making him gasp and choke on blood that filled his mouth. Amaya felt no remorse as she let him drop to his knees, gurgling as he choked to death faster than the arrow could have killed him.
Losing sight for a moment Amaya dropped to the side, not caring what happened to her now, she welcomed the darkness as it meant rest, most likely a dreamless world of sleep where she could either live or die as fate decided.
Gawain caught the woman he called sister, drawing her close then bellowed. "Make way! Make way for the Wolf Maiden!" Instantly a path was forged, men holding back the enemy lines as Gawain ran through, looking to Amaya's face as she grew paler and paler.
Looking her over Gawain could see two deep wounds to her torso and shoulder as well as the bolt. Her mouth was clear so he prayed that it had not hit her lung then prayed again that the bolt would not shift. He carried her through to the healers who looked at her briefly before nodding. "Set her over there." Gawain did as he was told, still gasping for breath but he remained by Amaya's side, putting pressure on as many wounds as he could reach to stop the heavy bleeding. Her lips began to turn blue.
"Hurry!" Gawain roared and the healer snorted.
"She looks half dead already, I have other soldiers with better chances of survival needing…" Gawain caught the healer by his robes and lifted him off the ground, making the tiny man gulp.
"If you don't heal her, you'll have the entire knighthood to reckon with as well as the king. Do you wish for me to go to him and inform that in his beloved sister's hour of need, you deemed her unworthy of your supplies?" He gulped nervously.
"Well when you put it like that…I can see your point. Let me down then before she dies." Quickly Gawain let go then stepped back, watching closely. "Go away! Isn't there still a battle raging on outside?" Gawain did not wish to go, he wanted to remain by Amaya's side to make sure she made it but realising that his honour commanded him to leave, he nodded.
"She had better be alive when I return, for you sake." He threatened sincerely then swept away. By the time he got back he had only to cut down one more man before the battle was over and Arthur came riding through the gates.
"Gawain, where is everyone? What happened?" Gawain chocked slightly, crumbling against the wall as he took his head in his hands. "Gawain, what's happened?" Arthur demanded, dismounting his horse and striding over to the knight who struggled to hold himself up.
"It is Amaya!" Gawain shouted in rage, bellowing then kicked a stray helmet aside. "She is dying!" Her wounds had looked too serious for her to live through the night, the golden haired warrior realised. Instantly Arthur's eyes widened.
"No, I did not mean…she didn't did she? She did not fight? I only meant for her to plan and strategize! Not to fight!"
"Well, she did Arthur! She led every single battle these last two weeks!" Gawain roared, facing the king fearlessly. "She fought every day and most nights just to keep us alive! She came up with the defence plans! She came up with every attack method no matter how wild and crazy it seemed! She led us, our Wolf Maiden, and now she is dying with a bolt in her ribs!" Gawain swallowed back his anger and calmed down. "I am sorry, it is not your fault. I was wrong to throw my concern and anger at you."
"No Gawain, you were right. It seems no matter how I try, she always ends up in danger." Arthur wanted to go and see her, to offer all the gold the healer could carry to save her life but he had too much to deal with here. He could not afford to abandon his men now. "Organise the wounded, get them seen to. Where is Lazarus? Where is the roach?" Arthur bellowed towards the living enemy soldiers who had surrendered. "I'll kill him with my own hands for this!"
"He is dead Arthur. She killed him." Gawain answered quietly and the king turned around in shock. Amaya had killed him. "With an arrow. I saw her. She was on her knees but then she found the strength to stand and smite him as he made to finish her. She threw her sword away to save my life but in her search for more arrows, she left herself open and a crossbow took her." Arthur felt pain in his chest and a large rock welded in his throat.
"Where…where is my wife?"
"She escaped through the tunnels. We thought this was it and that you would not make it in time." Lionel growled as he limped forwards, holding his back to cover a gash. "Along with Maia, the women, children, Galahad and my two younger brothers with a guard to protect them." Arthur nodded, sighing in relief.
"Gawain, if you are able, go after them and bring them back. There is no longer any danger." Lionel looked around in confusion as Daniel sauntered over, panting for breath and glistening from the layer of sweat on his body.
"Where's the lass?" Gawain and Arthur shared a pained look and Lionel instantly darkened. "What's happened? Where is she? Tell me!" Arthur nodded to Gawain.
"You go and I shall explain." And so Arthur told them of what he knew had happened. He did not feel worthy of their silence when he met with it, he wanted their rage, their justifiable rage. Arthur had ordered Amaya to remain in the slight chance that Lazarus would double cross and outsmart them but he had not counted on her actually leading the battles. He did not mean for her to get hurt, she was simply the only one Arthur could trust to formulate effective plans of defence and offence until the message was brought to him. Now she lay dying for his grave mistake.