Author's Notes: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!


Chapter XXVII

Tristan was up before dawn, being the first to wake as he groaned slightly and blinked a few times to clear his blurred vision. The first thing he saw was the sight of a sleeping, nude Iliana, her front facing him with her serene face buried in her pillow. He propped his elbow up on his pillow and gazed down at her, his free hand reaching out to run his fingers through her hair.

The love they made the previous night was probably the most passionate and wild they had ever been since the beginning of their relationship. He took his time mapping out her form with his hands and ensured his lips claimed every inch of her skin. Her breasts and collarbones received the most attention, the skin riddled with love bites, and one bright red mark stood out amongst her neck. When he hit that spot, she let out a keen moan resembling his name, flooding the room and possibly the tavern had her window been open. She raked her nails across his back as she held him to her, and he was sure there were scratch marks on the rippling sinews of muscles. He didn't mind it, though; the feeling of her nails fueled the thrusting of his hips against hers, and when she welcomed it, he answered to it.

He watched her sleep for a little longer before reaching for the breeches he discarded. Digging into one pocket, he pulled out what he was looking for. It was a leather cord with a charm dangling from it, and that said charm comprised a hawk with its wings spread and the head of a wolf howling upwards. Following their return from the coastal village, he went to work on making the charm, knowing it would take time to put together. He wanted it done before he received his papers, hoping to give it to her by the time he was a free man.

Unfortunately, leave it to some other catch to delay that freedom for a little while longer. Regardless, he didn't want to wait to give it to her.

Taking care not to wake her up, Tristan moved slowly as he wrapped the cord around her neck and hooked the clasp. The charm rested at her chest just above the valley between her breasts, and it suited her perfectly.

Just as he moved back to admire her some more, Iliana stirred. She rolled over until she was on her back, stretching her arms over her head. When she plopped her arms down at her sides, she turned her face towards him as she slowly opened her eyes, smiling at the sight of him.

"Good morning," he greeted, leaning towards her to give her a kiss.

"Morning," she greeted back, her voice rough with sleep.

She rubbed the tip of her nose against his, reaching for her neck to give it a rub. She paused when she felt something, and at the sound of him chuckling, Iliana looked to see the necklace around her neck.

"Tristan, what is this?"

"I spent the past month making that for you, considering the details of the hawk and the wolf took up a lot of time and effort to put together," he replied. "I originally planned to give it to you once I was a free man, but considering the circumstances, plus me not wanting to wait, I'm giving it to you now."

"Well, I'm very flattered," Iliana said, tears forming in the back of her eyes. "A hawk and a wolf. The respective animals that represent the Hamaxobii and Roxolani."

"There is a reason I made this for you," he spoke, his gentle voice making her look up at him. "Not only do they represent our Sarmatian roots, but they also represent your father and Andres. I know I can't always be by your side to protect you, nor can Andres once we leave on this mission, but at the times when we're separated, I'm hoping it brings you comfort."

Iliana felt her heartstrings being tugged at the realization that the three men whom she loved the most were in the necklace. Tristan gave this a lot of thought, and he poured his heart into perfecting it for her. Could this man get any better?

"Thank you. I feel comforted by it already, and I know I will need it as we journey north into Woad territory."

She rolled over until she was lying on her side, wrapping her arm around his shoulders and pulling him close to kiss him. A low moan emitted from his throat as he returned the kiss with just as much passion, and as she rolled over and straddled him, Tristan pulled away from her.

"We will have to get ready to depart fairly soon."

"I know," she said. "Allow me one last romp with you for a little extra luck and as thanks for the necklace."

He didn't miss the look in her eyes, and after a moment of gazing into those mesmerizing blue orbs, Tristan nodded and kissed her. As she moaned into his mouth, Iliana lifted her hips and lowered herself onto his arousal, putting her concerns aside as they prepared to make love again.


Following their romp, Iliana saw Tristan off and got dressed, preparing for the long journey ahead of her. She fastened her weapons to herself, grabbed her saddlebags, and departed her quarters. She headed towards the church she passed by occasionally, stopping just before the steps. Looking up at the sacred building before her, she closed her eyes as the sun shined down on her, allowing herself to relish in its warmth.

God, Father, I need the both of you now more than ever as I offer you this prayer. Please guide me, my Sirens, Arthur, and his knights safely as we prepare to journey on the most perilous mission we have ever faced. As I prepare to accompany the people that have become so important to me, I swear I will not let either of you down.

Father, I also swear to not cast aside everything you and Andres have taught me regarding combat. I'm taking this mission as an opportunity to embrace the warrior that is my Sarmatian blood, and I will answer to it. Just please guide us safely down the dangerous path that I know lies ahead of us.

She felt the heat of the sun intensify at her chest where the charm of her necklace rested, and when she opened her eyes, Iliana allowed herself a small smile.

"I'm sure God and your father will answer your prayer."

At the sound of Sophia's voice, Iliana turned around, so that she was facing her, surprised to see her and the Sirens standing close by.

"Sirens, I cannot convey how grateful I am that you will accompany me on this last mission Arthur and his knights must fulfill for Rome," she announced. "I understand that despite the determination I see in each one of you, I also feel your concern. The feeling is mutual, and I will be with you every step of the way. We will succeed and give the men the freedom they spent the past fifteen years fighting for."

"I am afraid of us letting the men down in their hour of need, Ili, especially with so much at stake here," Catalina said, trying to fight back tears.

Estrella wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pressed her temple against hers.

"Failure is not an option, Cat," she stated. "Besides Andres and Ili, these men helped us get our lives back. Aiding them on this mission is the favor we owe them for the second chance and love they gave us."

"I will happily give up my life for the men if it meant preserving theirs," Dimitra declared.

"We will not turn our backs on the men we have grown to love so much while they are still slaves to the greedy bastards of the Roman Empire," Sophia announced. "They're sending them into the mouth of the barbarians that hurt us for their own selfish needs, and I won't stand idly while they put their lives on the line against their will."

Their words made Iliana smile. This was probably one of the proudest moments of her life; seeing the girls she helped nurture back to health, step up and fight.

"I am itching to murder several Saxons myself in retaliation for what they did to you, and I know I will get that chance soon," she said. "For now, we have to depart to collect the Roman family in question, and I would like to put a face to the bastard of a Bishop responsible for the men's death sentence of a last mission."

When the girls nodded in response, Iliana led the way to the stables.


It didn't take the girls long to get to the stables. The barn door was open, and they saw the men preparing their horses for departure. Iliana saw Tristan sharpening his sword with a whetstone, and she also saw Arion acting antsy from his place in his stall. She felt the men's tension and anger flowing from the opening of the barn as they got closer, and at the sight of what appeared to be the Bishop and his servingman, Iliana felt her blood boil.

They listened and observed as the Bishop cleared his throat, garnering the men's attention.

"Horton, my servingman, will accompany you on this journey as an ambassador from Rome."

While the men were silent and didn't speak a word, the Bishop's haughtiness and arrogance fueled Iliana's growing anger.

"Too bad I can't shove my knife down his throat," Catalina said.

"Ili, throw your knife at them," Sophia suggested. "Have it hit between him and his servingman and just barely miss the both of them."

When she heard the others snicker and also saw them nod their heads, Iliana knelt down and pulled her knife from her boot. Using her left arm to steady her right, she took a deep breath to steady herself, and once she exhaled, she sent the blade flying. It barely missed the Bishop and Horton, the tip landing in the wall between them and making the latter jump in fright, to the amusement of her, the girls, and the men.

"Call that a warning shot, Bishop, for the next time you act all arrogant and supreme around the men while you're in my sights, I won't miss," she warned as she entered the barn with the girls following beside her. The sun broke through a crack in the roof, shining down on her directly. She stared him down, bewildering and intimidating the Bishop. When he saw the charm of her bracelet and looked back into her eyes, it only fueled his intimidation.

"Are my eyes deceiving me, or am I seeing the legendary knight Leoric as a woman?"

His words made Iliana chuckle as she rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Reborn would be a more appropriate word to use in this case. I'm his daughter, Iliana, and you and that bastard of a servingman will do well to remember that."

She smiled at the sight of their shocked faces.

"I will say this only once, Bishop. So, listen carefully," she announced, her voice dripping venom, despite keeping calm. "You better keep a look over your shoulder and you better sleep with one eye open. If any harm befalls Arthur or any of his men on this last mission, you will answer to it. As of last night, God is not on your side thanks to you stabbing them in the back with the promise of death rather than freedom. In fact, I'm surprised my father didn't let loose his wrath when you did this to him all those years ago."

At the sight of his pale, frightened face, Iliana chuckled in amusement.

"If you don't want to lose an eye right now, then I suggest you get the fuck out of here."

When the sun shined down a little harder on her, the Bishop hurried out, leaving a frightened Horton to have to face her.

"Jols, find Horton a horse," Arthur announced, to which the squire nodded and left the barn with the frightened servingman quick to follow him.

Dagonet approached the wall where Iliana's knife was, pulling the blade from where it landed and flipping it in his hand, offering it to her.

"I have to say I'm impressed, Ili," he said. "You made the Bishop run with his tail between his legs."

Iliana let out another chuckle as she took her knife and slipped it back into her boot.

"Someone had to, and considering the way he cowered after I revealed my identity and gave him my warning, I can tell he's hiding secrets."

She glanced over her shoulder to look at the girls.

"Sirens, prepare your horses for departure. We have a long road ahead of us," she announced.

When the girls nodded and dispersed, Iliana pulled her saddle from its place on the rack and made her way to Arion's stall.

"We ride again, my handsome steed. It will be a long journey, but this isn't uncommon for you."

The stallion whinnied in anticipation before lying down, surprising her.

"I am very fortunate to have you."

She stroked his neck before proceeding to saddle him up and check his face, frame, and hooves for any signs of injury or illness. Based on her observation and how he stood up straight and held his head up high, he was more than fit and ready for the journey.

She paused in her movement when she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist from behind, and she smiled as she breathed in Tristan's scent. When he pressed his lips to her neck, she giggled as his beard tickled her skin, reaching behind her to touch his cheek.

"We're due to depart fairly soon," she said with a breathy sigh as Tristan peppered her neck with kisses.

"We still have time," he purred, and when he gestured toward the center of the barn, Iliana saw the men and the girls talking amongst each other.

"I thought the Bishop was going to test you. I was about ready to take his head off."

His concern for her safety and well-being warmed her heart as she leaned her face into his.

"I appreciate the concern, but I can look after myself and hold my own."

She turned around in his hold so that she was facing him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as she leaned forward to kiss him. When she pulled away, she pressed her forehead against his, relishing in the closeness as she looked into his eyes.

"Rather than seeing you and the men off and wishing you well like I usually do, I'll be riding alongside you," she said. "It's a nice switch that I happily welcome."

He tilted his head up to press a gentle kiss to her brow.

"I swear to protect you on this journey," he declared.

"Nay," Iliana said with a shake of her head. "If anyone will do the protecting, it's me. I have to repay the time you've spent looking after me, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure you and the men finally taste the freedom that was once again denied to you."

"I know I've said this last night, but I'll say it again. You are my life and reason to live, Ili. I'll never lead the life I want if you're not in it."

A bittersweet feeling coursed through Iliana's veins, and while she didn't speak, her eyes spoke the reply for her as they relished in the closeness of each other for a little longer.

Leaning back against the wall that separated him from Arion's stall, Andres was listening in on the moment between his pupil and his fellow countryman. He felt the tension and bittersweetness taking place between them, internally hurting for them because of Rome's backstabbing.

Leoric, I know I swore to protect Ili all those years ago, but I want to add another vow on top of it. I swear to give her and Tristan, my fellow countryman, successor, and the man she loves, a future away from combat and bloodshed. The same goes for Arthur, the rest of his men, and the Sirens. I will do whatever it takes to ensure they can live in peace, and if that means I have to give up my life to fulfill that vow, then I will gladly do so. Give me the strength to ensure I can protect everyone.


Everyone quickly mounted their horses and headed out of the barn, then the town, and finally, the Wall. Tensions were running high amongst the men, not just with the new mission and the sudden turn of events, but also with the fact that the Sirens were accompanying them. Iliana knew both parties were worried for each other, but if there was one thing she and the girls were certain of, it was the decision to come along. The girls would finally have their chance to dish out their revenge, and she would finally have the closure she had been looking for since her father's passing.

Plus, she wanted to satisfy the nagging curiosity that was Merlin's keen interest in her. While she suspected the reason, she wanted to confirm it with her own two eyes.

As they neared the forestry that was Woad territory, Arion whinnied in anticipation. Kicking her heel in his flank, Iliana directed him forward until he was galloping in sync with Arthur's horse. The two leaders exchanged a silent look and nodded, understanding why she was riding alongside him.

It was hard to tell the difference between night and day once they entered the forest. With the dark cover of the trees and the irregular spurts of rain, their surroundings appeared as black as a dark night. However, Iliana knew not to drop her guard, especially when she could feel the Woads surrounding them.

When they slowed their horses to give them a break from the long hours of galloping, Iliana reached out to Arthur, gripping his arm. She had just seen several Woads carrying weapons and shields running through the cover of the brush, and despite staying calm, she was feeling uneasy as she squeezed Arthur's arm.

"Ili?" Arthur called, catching her attention.

"The Woads are following us, and they've got us surrounded in every direction."

This put everyone on alert, and the thunder and lightning overhead didn't help the situation. Iliana let go of Arthur's arm, taking a deep breath to calm her pounding heart, and Tristan directed Siria forward, reaching out to take her hand.

"Don't worry about me. I'm okay," she said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze before pulling away.

Just as she and Arthur were about to cross through another path, an elaborate weaving of thorn-ridden vines suddenly blocked it off. They had to pull back on the reins of their horses to avoid running into the newly created barrier, and the hissing of arrows as they were being shot to bring up yet more of those vines brought everyone on alert.

Sophia took the lead, finding an opening down a different path as she urged Belen forward. However, it would soon become a dead end when a Woad hiding in a tree up above fired an arrow, creating yet another barrier of thorn-ridden vines to impede their progress. She pulled sharply on Belen's reins to halt his pace before they went flying into the thorns, while also barely avoiding getting hit by a couple of arrows.

Dimitra then took off with Nico on a different path, only to be impeded herself by a barrier of vines. Just as she directed Nico to turn around, she had to duck close to his neck as more arrows were being fired. Dagonet wrapped his arm around her and ducked with her, using his body to shield her from the flight of arrows.

Seeing an opening of their own to try and nodding to each other, Estrella and Catalina urged Ebony and Ivory forward. It appeared to be clear of Woads and traps, but their hope was short-lived when a wooden, spear-tipped fence suddenly popped up out of the ground. While Estrella got a grip and steadied a frightened Ebony, Ivory was so startled that she reared back and whinnied, nearly throwing Catalina off of her. Luckily, Catalina held on and did not lose her footing as Estrella grabbed Ivory's reins and helped steady the pale white mare.

"This way!" Arthur commanded before he took off, with Iliana following right behind him.

The two leaders guided their horses down an unblocked path, making headway through the brush and trees until about a dozen Woads wielding spears and swords greeted them. Iliana screamed as she pulled back on Arion's reins, rearing him back and turning him around as Arthur directed his horse in front of her to shield her from the wild natives painted in blue.

With no other options, the group retreated to the original spot where the ambush began. The archers and foot soldiers forced them to a halt, fencing them in as they circled around them. The men and the Sirens drew their weapons, and Iliana had her bow drawn, an arrow ready to fly. Just as things were about to go down, they heard a horn off in the far distance, making the Woads hesitate as they stared them down with murderous intent.

"What are you waiting for?!" Gawain hollered.

"Big Brother!" Iliana hissed in Greek, not wanting the already raging fire to grow between them and the Woads.

At that moment, the horn sounded a second time, and the sun broke through the cover of the trees, shining down on Iliana. She then noticed the eyes of a few Woads widen in surprise, and with hesitation and what appeared to be acknowledgment, they lowered their weapons. One Woad nodded to her, and based on the resignation she saw in his gaze, Iliana realized that he and his comrades realized who she was.

"What the hell? Why didn't they attack?" Galahad asked, astonished that they had escaped unharmed.

"First, Merlin doesn't want you dead," Iliana replied. "If the Saxons have touched down on this island, then we have a common enemy in them.

"Second, he knows I'm with you, and I believe he holds some kind of respect towards my father. If I'm correct, he will not allow his men to harm me.

"I'm your ticket to getting through their territory alive. While I still have yet to figure out his interest in me, at the very least, I know it's out of respect for my father."

As she took in the sun's warmth, Iliana could only wonder what it was Merlin had in store for her down the line. She had one question answered, but more had arisen that she knew she wanted answers to.


End Notes: Sorry to have to end it like this, but you'll have to check back next week! Just five weeks left to go! I cannot believe it!