Ragnell gripped onto Gawain's belt tightly, biting her lip from time to time as the horse walked calmly along. They had cantered or galloped most of the way but the light was now fading and she needed to get inside before her brother returned from his hunting trip, she could not chance him staying all night in the forest like he sometimes did. "Please Sir Knight, could we go any faster? I am anxious to return home before my absence is noticed."
"Hold on." Gawain told her gently then moved his horse off into a canter, smoothly following the path Ragnell had directed him down. Gawain worried for the woman, his future wife. Though he shuddered at the thought of touching her, he reasoned that it was for Arthur's sake as well as hers. By the sound of it, her brother mistreated her.
"Are you sure you would not rather simply stay in Camelot?" Gawain asked her over his shoulder. "I can protect you still from there."
"No, if he realises that it was I who told you the answer to the riddle then he will kill your king then return for me and punish me too. He cannot know, it is safer that way." Gawain was reluctant to agree but he did not want to argue with her. She knew her brother best, after all.
He remembered Gromer, he had never liked him even when he was the sweet natured man who used to bring sweets back from market for the children. Arthur was blind to everything he had done behind his back. All the ladies he had ruined, the girls had had brutally taken to his bed and Gawain remembered when he had confronted Sir Gromer, all he had received in answer was a sickening smile that seemed too twisted to be human.
When a solitary tower rose into view above the spindly trees, Ragnell tugged on his shirt. "You may stop here." Gawain pulled up his mount then offered her his arm to help her dismount.
"Are you sure of this?" Gawain asked her again and she smiled from under the hood, he flinched away from the carnivorous appearance but she did not notice.
"Thank you, Sir Knight." She said to him softly and when she stroked the horse's neck, he was surprised that his mount did not pull back in fear.
"Gawain. I am called Gawain."
"Ragnell." She answered. "Though if I had friends, I should like them to call me Nell."
"Nell," Gawain started and she smiled once again. He chuckled inwardly. If one day he could see past her face, he would come to like her as a companion. "I shall see you in three days."
"Farewell, until then." She murmured then turned around to dart away, slipping through the trees then he watched as she grabbed onto a linen rope she had fashioned, pulling herself up and Gawain watched in horror as she began to climb the wall, though her feet planted firmly against the side and she scuttled up faster than a spider, slipping through her window then ran up the line.
Satisfied she was safe, Gawain returned home. Everyone was waiting for him as he walked into the entrance and he blinked at them. "What?" Bors shook his head.
"Well, you could always just blow out the candles." Amaya turned and hit him squarely in the arm.
"Hey! How come you slapped me across the face but only punch him on the arm where he has no sense or feeling whatsoever?" Daniel complained and she shot him a look.
"Because you tampered with my temper at the wrong moment with several cruel remarks." She answered simply. "It is not what is on the outside that matters, it is what people are on the inside that shines through as true beauty."
"Amaya is right, we have no right to judge upon appearance. She seemed sweet and kind, perhaps Lady Ragnell will one day become a good friend." Arthur agreed though he still looked at Gawain with pity. His dreams of marrying a beautiful Sarmatian woman were now bitter embers lost on the wind.
"Stop looking at me like that." Gawain snapped. "It is not the end of the world." Lionel cocked an eyebrow.
"Did you see her face?" The knight growled darkly and Amaya threw up her hands.
"Men! Is the outward appearance all you ever notice of a woman?" They all looked to one another before nodding, save for Galahad who drew Maia closer and kissed her neck. She scowled at her brother who smirked at Maia's tiny giggle, her hand combing through Galahad's curls. "I hope you all have a more civil tongue and groomed manners for the final day of tournament, otherwise I shall turn you all into toads and trust me," she growled. "I have been practicing." At her threat, most of them scarpered, running away before they seriously angered Amaya.
Shaking her head she stepped towards Gawain, looking at him softly. "Thank you for what you did." He shrugged.
"It is what a knight is meant to do." He answered then stepped around her, striding away. Amaya closed her eyes, sighing. If only they could have seen what she had, when Amaya's mind was filled with the inner beauty of Ragnell's heart, nothing had been brighter or more utopian as the radiance that had glowed within her. If she could make them see that then perhaps they would be more willing to accept her.
"Maya? Are you coming to the tavern tonight?" Amaya looked to Galahad for a moment before nodding.
"I could use a distraction." She murmured then walked with him and Maia out into the open, where all the other knights save for Gawain had disappeared to. When they entered the already busy tavern, they all cringed.
"Please don't hurt us!" Ector begged. "We'll be good and tell her she's beautiful if that's what you want." Amaya snorted.
"Don't lie. Now, let's drink." Amaya had he usual water but the other men relaxed as they saw her in her usual spirits. After several drinks, Galahad had the nerve to challenge Amaya to a game of daggers, to which she agreed to on the condition that Galahad shove his head into the water barrel outside to awaken his senses a little. When he returned, grinning with dripping wet hair everyone laughed. "Two daggers each, first to strike the knot wins!" Kay called out, pounding his fist on the table. "My money is on Maya."
"No arguments there brother." Lionel grunted, draining his fifth ale before bellowing for another. Amaya allowed Galahad to go first, who had sobered up a little but his aim was poor to say the least. Amaya only had to throw one dagger to it the centre knot, making Galahad groan.
"No fair! Someone distracted me." He glared to Kay who grinned wickedly.
"You find me distracting?"
"No!" Amaya chuckled at her brother's horror struck face but as he went for another drink, she snatched his wrist.
"I don't think so little wolf, you'll need your head in one piece to joust tomorrow. It's an early start, remember?" He groaned, pouted for a moment before nodding his head.
"Let's go back, shall we?" Maia suggested softly, taking his hand. "I can give you my undivided attention then." Perking up, Galahad leaped to his feet and pulled Maia to him, kissing her sweetly as the others all cheered, making Maia blush so Amaya hushed them for her sake until Galahad had swept her away into the night.
"Has the pup taken his mate to bed yet?" Bors asked aloud and Amaya threw an empty mug at his head, hearing it clunk as it connected. "Ow!" Dagonet laughed.
"No he has not, Maia is a lady and an heiress, highly respectable and values her virtue! Unlike the common wench you find in here." Amaya defended her friend boldly, lifting her chin. "If you want to bed a woman of high rank, you'll have to marry them first unless you are an exceptionally good charmer or they are exceedingly dim-witted." She paused. "The latter being most likely." They all snorted, cackling as Amaya sighed then stood. "I think I will rest as well." He touched her brow. "I really did try to do more than I should have today." Dagonet started to rise but she rested her hand on his shoulder, smiling to him. "I'll be alright."
"The streets are still dangerous, Amaya. Men tend to become drunk during tournaments, especially the knight before when wine is cheap at the beginning then becomes more expensive as the night goes on by which time everyone is too past their limit to notice." Dagonet fussed so she kissed his cheek.
"Don't fret, I'm hardly defenceless. Enjoy yourself here and I'll check on Lucan on my way back." Pulling away Amaya started for the castle, slipping in and out of shadows as she pleased whenever drunk groups got too close for comfort. "Hello darlin'…" A voice slurred so Amaya stepped back and watched as the intoxicated man fell forwards, missing her completely to fall flat on his face.
"Very nice to meet you." Amaya said to his snoring form then stepped around him. Just then the hawk swept by and landed on her shoulder, causing Amaya to stop and smile as she looked to the graceful bird. "I'm afraid you've caught me unawares, I have no meat for you. Where is your master? Does he now that you've been sneaking off to see me? Oh the scandal." Amaya murmured, walking on forwards with the bird balancing easily on her shoulder. "He'll have a word or two to say about this I'm sure."
"What if he already knows?" Amaya's entire body stiffened in the street before she slowly turned to face Tristan who was half concealed in the shadows, leaning his shoulder against a wall. "You shouldn't be out alone."
"I am not alone." She replied simply, looking to the hawk. "I am in good company."
"Be serious."
"I am." Returning the sharp tone Amaya frowned. "What are you doing there?"
"Watching the streets, keeping brawls from spreading." Tristan answered simply, glancing up to her and the moment his eyes locked with hers, she felt a wave of unwavering attraction hit her, enough for her to stop breathing to make sure she did not gasp so she hardened her face against the feeling, keeping all expression from her features. "I would like my hawk back."
"Who says she wants to return to you? Perhaps she considers me better company?" She asked blandly, lifting her chin and in answer, Tristan lifted a hand and the hawk spotted the piece of meat he held between his fingers. Her appetite winning her over, the hawk glided to his hand, bell tinkling softly as she wolfed the strip down. "I feed her better." Amaya said nothing, watching him as her body refused to move.
Once his hawk had finished eating he sent her up into the air, stepping forwards as he did so which brought him closer to Amaya. He glanced her over. Maia had said her skin was warmer and he wanted to find out if she was right but knew that such contact was now forbidden, he had lost that right when he had given her up so that she could search for something better but in trying to make things right, Tristan seemed to have only broken her.
He had not meant to, he genuinely believed she would have been better off with someone like Percival, hell, even Daniel but he had destroyed all trust she had with men on the intimate level. It was all he ever seemed to do, destroy things.
"Good luck for your archery contest." Amaya said to him civilly, taking a deep breath to catch up with her beating heart. "I know you will do well." He grunted in reply, arching an eyebrow at her.
"Only well?" She shrugged.
"The only reason you will win is because I am not competing." He smirked slightly, stepping forwards.
"Perhaps you should enter and then we shall see." His voice lowered further and he scolded himself harshly inside. He should not be doing this. It was leading her on, flirtation, it was not allowed! Amaya hung her head then shook it.
"It is not seemly." He frowned.
"That didn't stop you from hammering down an entire army with your boot." A small smile tugged at her lips as she turned her head to the side and regarded him closely.
"The court dislikes me enough as it is, I do not want to add fuel to the fire. Besides, I know my only real competition would be you. Why waste time on an entire tournament when I could challenge you any day I wish?"
"Then perhaps you should do that." Tristan answered, this time keeping the slight playful tone from his voice, looking down at her blankly. "And the winner takes the title of best archer in all of Briton."
"Only a title? Come now Tristan, aren't you even a little more daring?" She smirked up at him, lifting her chin. It felt good to talk with him again, his presence still brought immense peace and comfort to Amaya in a way no other could. It was mainly his voice she enjoyed listening to, its rich tone and heavy accent able to lure any woman closer.
"What would you play for?" Amaya pursed her lips in thought, glancing up to the sky to see the stars.
"How about the loser buys the winner any item they desire, within financial reason." Amaya suggested and inwardly, Tristan sighed. What he desired could not be bought with gold. Finally he nodded his head.
"Deal." He agreed then turned to leave but Amaya spoke his name before she even knew it had left her lips. The scout stopped and turned his piercing look upon her and she sighed, touching her arm with one hand as she lowered her head.
"I was wondering if…you would be willing to teach…teach me how to fletch my own arrows." She said to him then quickly continued. "If this is too soon, I will understand. I just simply do not want to waste your time asking for more arrows when I keep on spoiling and breaking my own."
"Maya." She bit her lip as he spoke her name and he turned to face her properly. "I will teach you." Amaya's eyes lit up and she smiled. Gods, he'd forgotten how much he enjoyed seeing her eyes fill with brightness like that, it had been a while since he had seen it, let alone seen it directed at him.
"You will?" Her smiled broadened as he nodded his head once. She raked a hand carelessly through her hair to drag to loose strands the wind had torn free back from her face and went to speak when there was a loud snarl from behind them. Amaya turned but Tristan had already drawn his blade, grabbed Amaya and tugged him behind her as the beast prowled forwards, red eyes glowing as its foaming mouth bared every sharpened fang in its jaw.
The shaggy black mane was matted and unkempt but Amaya instantly grabbed Tristan's arm and wrist, stopping his intended movement to strike the creature down. "No! It is not evil, something has possessed it." Amaya whispered then looked back to the rabid dog as it snarled then barked at Tristan who tensed. "Run!" She pushed at him and he dove for the alley as the beast lunged, Amaya falling to the ground to avoid being hit but instantly she was on her front and pushing herself up, turning to see the long tail disappear into the darkness after Tristan.
She raced after them both. "Tristan!" Amaya called out in fear as the dog howled to the sky and Amaya tried to summon her magic but all she got was a pathetic twinge. "Damn it all!" She cursed then turned around a corner where the hawk flew overhead and Amaya raced down then turned right in the alley streets, staring at the dead end where Tristan faced the possessed creature.
"Enough!" She commanded and a brighter spark lit her chest though it still was not enough. She needed her strength and she needed it now. When the dog turned to snarl at her, Amaya slowly inched closer, breathing deeply as she held out a hand flat, palm facing down as she began to whisper. "Hear my voice, innocent creature, do not give in to that which forces its will upon you. Listen to me, follow me, come with me." She murmured slowly in her native tongue and the red eyes faded slightly before they shone back into life, the light in her hand gradually building as she bought herself time. "Be strong, be strong for me. Come, come and listen." The large dog took a step forwards of its own will but then snarled, lowering itself down then turned on Tristan, springing into the air. "No!" Amaya thrust both hands out and a beam of light shot from her, effectively peeling away the last of her strength as it swept through the dog's body, crumbling it to the ground as Tristan leaped back, sword still in hand.
Amaya found the black, pulsating disease within the dog's mind, snarling at it inwardly then attacked it with her light, allowing it to swallow it whole until with a crush of her fingers into fist, it was removed altogether. Her eyes flew open and Amaya collapsed to the ground, gasping weakly as she saw the dog leap up and bound over to her, barking with a wag of its tail then began to lick at her face as her eyes slid shut and she faded into the blackness.
"Move mutt." Tristan growled but the dog snarled back at him, standing protectively by Amaya's side but allowed the two legged human creature to kneel beside his new mistress, whom he now adopted as his protector as he would be hers.
Tristan lifted Amaya closer, checking her breathing before sighing. "You couldn't just let me kill it?" She whimpered, opening her mouth as if to reply but no sound ever came. Tristan glared at the dog who looked up at him with soft brown eyes before its tongue darted forwards and licked the scout's face, making him reel back with a grimace.
"Stupid mutt, go away." He ordered as he sheathed his sword then lifted Amaya up carefully to then carry her away. She really was warmer. Not burning hot and feverish but a pleasant warmness, like she had only just stepped inside from a long walk in the radiant sun. After a moment he realised that the mutt was following them, padding softly behind. "Away!" Tristan snapped but the dog merely barked back and looked to the woman, gazing at her loyally. "I said away, go find someone else to leech from."
"No…want him." Amaya suddenly gasped, her eyes opening partially and she dropped a hand which the dog instantly began to nuzzle, slathering his tongue over her fingers with a concerned whine. "Want him."
"He's a flea bitten stray." Tristan sighed to her.
"No." She answered weakly, trying to glare at him but it failed. "Beautiful." Tristan looked down to the skinny mutt then groaned.
"Fine. Don't complain to me when you get itches." He said sharply then carried her further inside. This was the second time they had been attacked when alone together and if Amaya hadn't had her magic and if the sword had not been able to finish the possessed demonic animal, they would have both been finished. Something was going on and Amaya knew more than she was letting on.
He let her sleep, however as she had specifically said that too much strain on her body could kill her. Tristan had instantly tensed when she had informed them so bluntly with an unfazed expression that he almost did not believe her until now. She was growing pale.
"Stay strong Maya. Don't give up the fight so soon." He murmured, opening the servant's door and let himself in the way they would be less likely to be spotted. The mutt followed, keeping quiet but sometimes nudged at Tristan's leg which irritated him. He refrained from kicking the poor brute, however, one reason being that he disliked harming animals anyway and also because Amaya would have his head, seeing as she had taken a shine to the demon.
Tristan carried her all the way back to her room, careful not to jolt her before he awkwardly shifted her in his arms so that he could open her door. The dog pushed his way through first, the broad shoulders opening the door further and the scout rolled his eyes before taking Amaya over to her bed. He lay her down gently then brushed away the locks of her hair from her face as she exhaled slowly, shifting before curling up into a ball.
The scout could not help but just looked at her, his fingers brushing against her soft skin as much as he dared before quickly drawing his hand back. He grabbed the covers and pulled it from beneath her to lay them over the woman's body, which Tristan regarded as still being too thin. She would have better strength if she ate more at mealtimes.
The dog gave a short huff, glaring to Tristan as if to say that he's been there long enough. "Alright you fleabag, I'm gone." He grumbled, looking to the curtains at the bedposts before drawing the open side closed, the finely spun material shining bright white in the moonlight, casting Amaya into a dreamlike vision as Tristan dragged his eyes away then left, closing the door quietly behind him.