Arthur had sent out several search parties but none came back with Tristan or Amaya. Arluin had come galloping into the stables with cries of terror, alerting Jols that something had happened to Amaya. Galahad had gone out two hours ago and still not returned so Arthur sent Gawain, Daniel and Kay on three more scouting parties to try and find them.
Maia wept with worry and Ragnell comforted her, both of them standing just inside the towering oak doors to keep out of the rain but when Galahad returned along with the other patrols, Maia had run out into the rain without hesitation. "Did you find her?" She demanded but he shook his head solemnly. "What about Tristan?"
"Maybe they are together and Arluin was spooked by the lightning?" Kay suggested, shaking out his wet hair as he dismounted. "For all we know, they could be perfectly safe." Galahad turned a sharp glare on him.
"Arluin does not spook at lightning!" Maia grabbed his arm, narrowing her eyes.
"Do not be angry at Kay, he is trying to be reasonable." She reprimanded then pressed herself against him, sobbing with worry as in her heart she knew something was wrong. The rain soaked her clothes so Galahad pulled his cloak over her head, leading her into the stables as Arthur spoke with Gawain.
"It's this damn rain, we can't see anything and all the tracks are washed clean. If they're out there, they'll have to find their own way back." Galahad felt fear wash over him but Gawain touched his shoulder. "It's alright, Galahad. Tristan will keep Amaya safe."
"What if they're hurt?" He demanded but kept his voice low as he did not want to frighten Maia further. "There are bandits out there! What if they were attacked?"
"We will keep searching, Galahad." Arthur soothed diplomatically. "We will find them." Shaking his head Galahad sought comfort in Maia's arms, her kisses against his face making him slowly lose all thought until he was calmed. Then they heard a horse.
"It's Sir Tristan!" One of the guards called and instantly everyone was running forwards. Tristan was slumped forwards in his saddle but when the horse stopped, he fell forwards and crashed to the ground before anyone could catch him.
"Tristan! Where's Maya?" Galahad demanded as the scout spat blood from his mouth.
"Bandits…took her…find her." He grabbed Galahad's cloak and yanked the pup closer, struggling to keep his eyes open as fatigue and weakness overcame him. "Bring her home." His grip went slack and Tristan fell into unconsciousness, his horse shivering from the cold so Jols hastened to take him away and get him attended to as Arthur grabbed Tristan, slinging him over his head then carried him inside.
Maia stared in shock then burst into tears, turning her face up to the rain filled sky as the clouds wept with her, a stabbing pain of loss filling her heart as she prayed for Amaya's safe return.
The bandits raced through the trees, one of them carrying the limp form of the boy they had snatched from the scout over his shoulder. Once they were safely back to their horses, the one carrying the boy threw him up into the seat before him then mounted up, snatching the rope from the saddle then tied it securely around the boy's body, trapping the arms to his sides.
His head hung forwards, covered completely by the large hood. They rode hard to the nearest port, which was only a few hours ride away and in all that time, the rain never ceased to hammer down. "It's bloody freezing!" One of them growled, shoving his numb hands under his armpits to try and warm them. "Can't it rain elsewhere?"
"Oh shut that ugly flap of yours!" Their leader, Agrivus, snarled, turning his coal eyes upon his six followers. "Shut up and keep riding, the ship leaves tomorrow and this is the last chance we have to sell!"
Sell the boy with the others the bandits had captured. Should be easy enough seeing as they had one or two decent bodies. Though slavery was illegal, it was the easiest way to make money and they all had families to feed.
At one point the boy groaned and began to wriggle but then went limp again, slumping further forwards so the bandit grabbed the rope and hauled him back into his seat to keep him from falling. He squinted against the rain, the tiny droplets stinging his eyes like a thousand bees but when the port came into sight with the grey waves choppily eating away at the ships in harbour, they rode into the cargo holding and the boy was tossed down to an already dismounted bandit, who slung the boy over his shoulder then carried him towards an outdoor cell, yelling at the others locked away inside to get back. The door was unlocked and it swung open. The boy was flung inside and landed heavily at the other men's feet, who stayed back from the door as arrows were pointed at them, keeping them back until the door was once again locked.
The moment the arrows were lowered, one of the slaves knelt down and rolled the boy over, peeling back the soaked hood. What he saw made him tense with shock. It was a woman. "It's a woman! Let me at her!" One man lunged forwards but the slave shoved him back, pulling the woman into his arms to hold her protectively, glaring at the others.
"Do not dare touch." He growled angrily, glowering through the spitting rain that fell upon them. He was always struck dumb at how little these people seemed to care about others. They were savage beasts with no respect or kindness in their hearts.
Lifting a darkly coloured hand the slave pulled the hood over her fine structured face then gently lay her down, crouching beside her. Slowly she began to whimper, shivering in the cold rain and her eyes partially opening her eyes and the slave caught the dark orbs briefly before they closed again.
He stayed by her side, keeping watch all night and made sure that the other men locked away with them did not try to taint and abuse her. He had nothing to help warm her, he himself was bare chested and vulnerable to the elements and he did not dare take off her cloak to remove the soaked garment as it would then reveal her gender and then there would be nothing he could do to keep her from harm.
Sighing he looked up at the skies as the rain finally drifted away and the clouds parted to reveal a glorious star filled heaven, each gem gleaming as if polished from the rain that had previously thundered down upon them. He counted the stars to keep awake, thinking of tomorrow where they would be sold into imprisonment and be taken from this land, never to return.
The woman slowly but surely opened her eyes, inhaling deeply as she felt the sway of motion rock her from side to side as if someone was cradling her in her arms. Her mind was completely blank but she could now see, though all she saw was the damp boards above her head and the dim glow of a single candle which hovered beside her face. "You are awake." A voice remarked in a deep but gentle tone. "Your fever has broken." She turned her face towards the voice and slowly, a large shape began to make out the features.
Dark eyes like bottomless pits looked firmly down at her but the woman did not flinch, somehow finding a spark of courage within her. The wide lips were set in a hard line and she could see that the man had a shaved head and had pierced ears, a few rings looping over the tops of his lobes. She looked at him blankly and a slow smirk touched his mouth, registering the fearlessness in her eyes.
"Who are you?" She asked him hoarsely then her eyes narrowed. "What have you done to me?"
"Kept you safe." He answered, drawing the candle back then set it on the side as the woman slowly sat up then looked around the small room she occupied along with several other men, who were eyeing her hungrily. "Men have no honour."
"Honour…" She murmured, finding the word agreeable to her. Wracking her mind only brought on a headache so she slumped back down onto the hard wooden floor she lay on. "Who are you?" She asked again.
"Lamorak." The dark skinned slave answered. "We are on a ship heading east to Roman lands. We are now gladiators." The slave winced slightly. "I am sorry, once they know you are a woman, there will be nothing I can do." Sighing she nodded her head then reached out to touch his shoulder.
"Thank you." He nodded his head simply.
"What is your name?" He asked, the thick accent making his words sound harsh but the woman found it oddly pleasant to listen to. Suddenly she frowned, turning startled eyes to Lamorak.
"I do not know."