I wrote these stories well over a decade ago after seeing King Arthur (2004). I wrote them out of order, but would always come back to reading them. I haven't written anything in over ten years, and recently I decided to revisit the fictional world I wrote about, and I found it enjoyable. Since they were written out of order, I wanted to make everything more cohesive and change some things. I wanted to change Raja's backstory a little bit, her relationship with Tristan, and overall make everything more consistent.

YEAR ONE - Tristan is 18. Lancelot is 17. Raja is 8.

It Can't Rain All the Time

It was a mere drizzle on the day the small girl and her uncle arrived at the fort. Their ship had docked some ten days ago at the coast where much marketing and trading went on. It was not altogether different than the port in Egypt. The journey had been long, several weeks of nothing but water as far as the eye could see, the young girl often felt as if they would sail off the edge of the world. Once docked on British soil they stayed at a villa to rest and gain their bearings before continuing on the journey. Ardeth felt it prudent to wait until the weather was fair enough for travel. His niece was used to the fairly constant warmth of Egypt, but the Britain weather was far more unforgiving and intemperate, it even took him some getting used to when he had first visited and he was a hardened and trained soldier.

Ardeth saw his five men visibly shiver in the colder mornings. They were loyal to Ardeth, and with no families of their own had volunteered to escort their leader and his niece to make their travel safer. The Egyptian also saw fit to bring two tutors for Raja – one for education with studies, the other more as governess and to be a feminine presence in her day to day. Aside from their horses, they also had a feline companion in tow.

As they made their way along the wall, Raja saw sights that had only been previously described to her with words. Compared to the home she knew it was far greener here, more trees and foliage so dense she could barely see through them. There were mountains in the distance that stood as tall as giants in fairy tales, and so many hills! She tried to put the images she was seeing with the stories her papa used to tell her when he lived here as a soldier. When they camped at night Raja would fall asleep to the different sounds hidden in the night outside her tent. The gentle, steady breathing of her uncle would often aid in lulling her to bed. He was the only security left in her life.

Each night they camped, the Egyptian soldiers would keep watch and they would wait for Raja's screams of terror that would inevitably come. They could only imagine what demons awoke her in the night, demons nobody save her uncle could chase away, only for them to return the following night.

The exterior of their destination finally approached one day. It was mid-afternoon and villagers were farming outside, the sounds of goats, sheep and children playing whistled past their ears. Each gate had a long road leading to an entry. It was the north trail they took, it all sped by Raja – tiny rain droplets kept splattering in her eyes and she had to blink fervently to clear her vision each time. The villagers stopped and gawked, some mid-work, some as they continued with their labors. When they reached the northern gates, two vast double doors with iron spikes groaned open. The Egyptian soldier who had ridden ahead to announce their arrival was awaiting them.

The stone walls were high and looming. Each corner was occupied by a Roman soldier in a guard tower. There was another trail that led to the main headquarters in the center of the fortress. This was one of the larger occupied forts of the Wall which used to house far more soldiers than present. Raja knew that Rome was slowing pulling back its presence in the country. Again, onlookers stopped and stared at the new arrivals. These new guests dressed and looked differently, but they could tell by the carriage and their horses and garb that they were of importance. It was no secret that nobility from Egypt was coming to town – for what, the gentle people did know.

Finally, Raja felt her uncle's horse come to a stop. She had her own horse, Odin, named after a Norse god from one of her favorite tales, but often had to rest and ride side-saddle with her uncle or even in the carriage where her governess Chione, and her tutor Galen often rode.

"It is good to see you again, Ardeth," Raja heard.

"You as well, Jols," her uncle replied, and she could hear the smile in his greeting. "These are my men who have gracefully decided to make this journey with us – Ammon, Bes, Aharon, Christos and Set."

All five men dismounted and bowed their heads. Bes opened the carriage door and helped Chione out who looked around none too pleased with the surroundings. Galen had traveled to many countries, but never to Britain, and he could not pass up the opportunity to learn more about the world.

Ardeth dismounted, Raja buried her head in his neck. She saw the man named Jols and his stable hands lead their horses away. Silently, she waved goodbye to Odin.

"Ardeth!" Another deep voice was greeting her uncle with fondness.

"Arthur, it is good to see you my friend." Ardeth clasped a free forearm with Arthur. "This is my niece, Raja." He felt her cling tighter to him. "I apologize, I'm sure the journey has tired her."

"No need for apologies, I understand. Your quarters have long been prepared. Please, come." He gestured to a door opening not far off. "You will have this whole area to yourselves."

"Thank you, Arthur. I am remembering my way around already."

They went up the few stairs that led to the double doors of the keep. Raja's eyes had to adjust to the immediate dimness. The stone walls were bare save for the few torches that were the only illumination. A staircase was on the right. Ardeth gave leave to all the others to unpack and rest in their rooms, he assured Chione he would see to Raja.

"Here we are, Raja," Ardeth said softly to her.

Her room was smaller than the one in Egypt. There were two windows, and the fireplace was already lit along with two braziers. Someone had delivered her cat, Bennu, to her and the gray feline was already familiarizing itself with the room. Ardeth set her on her bed and Bennu jumped up immediately to cozy herself on her human's lap. Raja rubbed her eyes before looking around carefully. It was all so different. She ran her small fingertips over the bedding material as her uncle untied her damp cloak and slipped off her boots. He squeezed her socks to make sure they were dry.

"Would you like rest or food first, little one?"

She gazed into his dark, gentle eyes. "I am very tired," she replied quietly.

He smiled in return and proceeded to tuck her in. Bennu purred and curled up next to her on the pillow. She clung to the wooden dragon amulet that was once her father's.

"Don't leave, Uncle," Raja said.

"Never. I will be here when you awaken." He smoothed down her hair affectionately and it was not long before slumber took her.

Raja had always been close to Ardeth, even before her parents' passing. Tragedy brought them closer, far to the point where the young girl could hardly go an hour past without seeing him. He was all she had left. Ardeth had brought her here to see her cousin, Lancelot, believing a change of scenery and expanding her family would do her some good, help her heal. She had only ever heard tales of her Sarmatian kin from her father. After his service to Rome he felt he had nothing and no one left in his homeland, so he went to Egypt with her mother. Her father's name was also Lancelot. He told her he had an elder brother who had served in the Roman auxiliary, as well, but was stationed in a further outpost. His service had been years before Lancelot's and their paths never crossed again.

Ardeth thought about the young man named after Raja's father as he unpacked her things. He had only come to know of him when Arthur wrote to him some two years past. The Egyptian had met Arthur when he was but a young boy being tutored by Pelagius, a man Ardeth had also called friend. Arthur came to value Ardeth's advice and guidance, especially in military matters and they had kept up a sporadic correspondence. Arthur had mentioned a soldier by the name of Lancelot, newly come from Sarmatia and from the same tribe as Raja's father. Feeling it could be no coincidence; Ardeth immediately replied and inquired further. After several months of back and forth it was confirmed that the young Lancelot in Britain was indeed a relation.

He paused in his unpacking when Raja made a sound, ready to be at her side to console her if need be, but she quickly fell back into sleep. How the nightmares plagued her, she had seen things no one should ever have to see. Her mother was brutally murdered and violated as Raja could hear and see from the bureau Aisha had secreted her in. He thanked the gods every day that those men did not find Raja, too. His younger sister had fought bravely to keep them from her daughter. Swiftly, the memory of that time overtook him. Ardeth and his elder brother Memnon had not been in the village when it was attacked. Once they had received word they dropped everything to see what was left of their home and family. It took a full day from Alexandria. Their home was in shambles, his sister and brother-in-law both dead. Raja was found curled up next to her dead mother's body. She would not speak, would not move. It was as if she had died inside. The only sound she made were screams at night. The order of things were unclear, but his niece had been struck numerous times by hands clearly intending to kill her, likely before her mother found her and hid her away. A physician had assured her uncles the young girl had not been violated in any other way. It was no small conciliation.

xxx

"What did she look like?" Lancelot inquired. His long fingers were steepled in front of him as a sardonic glint lit his eyes.

They sat in Arthur's study. Discussing security of the fort and battle tactics were just two topics of the day. A large map was splayed out on Arthur's desk among a myriad of other papers.

"If you had gone out to greet her, you would know," Arthur rejoined, not without some censure.

Lancelot snorted derisively at the criticism. He would never admit it, but it unnerved him to know there was a blood relative under the same roof as he. He did hope that Ardeth had not been offended by his absence. The Egyptian was a good man, and he respected him greatly – but what was he to do with a young cousin, a young girl cousin at that? He knew his father had a younger brother and deduced he must have some other family out there, the young soldier just never thought he would ever meet them.

"But I did not see her face," Arthur said. "She was small, and Ardeth had her in his arms."

"He was carrying her?" Lancelot asked incredulously. "Whatever for?"

"She was tired. She, after all, is just a child, Lancelot." Arthur pursed his lips and scrutinized his friend closely. He could sense the unease from him, not that Lancelot would ever admit it aloud. "You know of her present state, Ardeth told us of it. That poor girl has been through so much."

Lancelot waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, she lost her parents."

"More than that," Arthur replied firmly. "She watched as her mother was violated and murdered, no more than a little over a year ago. Have you truly no compassion?"

The curly-haired man winced. "I am not without it." He stood up suddenly, needing to move. "But what am I expected to do, Arthur? She is of noble blood and was raised in privilege. What have we in common, hmm?"

"You have blood in common, my friend. Even some shared experience. Give it a chance."

Still, Lancelot was dubious. He sighed heavily and sat back down running his hand down his face. "What could I possibly say to an eight year old girl?" In this, he started to show some vulnerability, which he quickly tamped down, his life could not afford this weakness. He had been taken from his home at eleven, ripped from his own mother, father and siblings. He was nothing but a Pagan to the people he was forced to serve.

Arthur did not get a chance to reply. A curt knock sounded on the door. Tristan came in when Arthur answered, his sharp face set in his otherwise usual expressionless features. He was muddy and wet having just returned from a routine patrol.

"You are safe then?" Arthur asked.

"Well, I'm here," was the flat reply.

The commander half-grinned. "Clean yourself up, rest, and we'll discuss the patrol." Tristan nodded and as he was about to walk off Arthur called him back. "Tristan"

The scout turned around and simply waited.

"Ardeth arrived not long ago with his niece and company. She was sleeping when they arrived and has yet to wake."

Tristan glanced briefly at Lancelot. "What has this to do with me?"

"We're all to bow and wait on her hand and foot," Lancelot quipped.

Tristan ignored him. He was too tired, hungry and wet to listen to any more of Lancelot's complaints about his cousin.

Arthur ignored Lancelot, as well. "I was only informing you, just as I did Bors and Dagonet. I will send a maid to bring you clean clothes."

Tristan again nodded and left. He walked down the hall and up the stairs, the same corridors which had become so familiar over the years. On some days, he felt like an old man after a patrol. The cold here could seep into one's bones, blisters bit into his feet. As he headed towards his quarters he heard a cry come from the opposite direction where he and the other men slept. The sound came from the rooms that had been opened for Ardeth and his people. When Tristan heard the cry again his feet followed as if they had a will of their own. He winced when he heard a child cry through the partially opened door. He saw Ardeth holding his niece as he soothed her. She had long, dark curly hair like Lancelot's. She mumbled something in her native language and Ardeth responded in kind and it seemed to calm her.

He continued to stand transfixed, unfamiliar with this level of sorrow, especially from someone so young. When she finally quieted, her eyes opened, red-rimmed from crying, her irises were gray. He stepped away from the door quietly and made his way to his sparsely furnished room. He shut the door, immediately stoking the fire to warm up. Tristan rid himself of his soiled clothes and washed himself down with the water and cloth from the basin next to the fire. A clean tunic and breeches were laid out on his bed that he hastily put on before he got into bed.

xxx

Raja awoke several times in the night where her uncle had stayed throughout. In the morning it was still cloudy and the young girl thought it was the same day. Ardeth brought her breakfast and made sure she ate as much as possible. When she was done she cleaned her face and hands from the wash basin. Chione came in and helped her plait her hair.

"How did you sleep, my dear?" the woman asked. She had heard her charge's night terrors.

"I think I slept most of the night. Do you like it here, Chione?" Raja asked.

"It is certainly different than home." Chione had her back to her as she picked a simple frock from the bureau. "How about this blue one? Blue looks so lovely on you."

Raja nodded. Once she was dressed she slipped on her boots and waited for her uncle. She played with Bennu by the fire while Chione knitted.

"Are you ready, little one?" Ardeth stood in the doorway, refreshed.

She gave assent and took his hand that he offered her. Raja gave a look to Chione who smiled encouragingly at her. As she and her uncle walked down the halls and closer to the center of the forts activity she could hear the goings-on outside. She worried her Sarmatian kin would not like her, she worried they would think her strange. Would they be violent and aggressive like the ones who battered her mother?

No, that cannot be, she assured herself. Uncle Ardeth trusts them. These were her father's people.

Ardeth heard her muttering under her breath as her small grip tightened on his. He stopped and bent down on one knee to face her. He tucked a stray hair behind her ear and smiled at her.

"What if they do not like me?" she asked.

"Impossible. They are eager to meet you. And I will be right there by your side."

Raja was slightly emboldened by her uncle's words. She took a deep breath and turned to the large doors. This was the room where the soldiers held their meetings, it had a round table, she was told. They walked in and Raja saw five men stand up from their seats. Over the silence, she was certain they could hear the pounding of her heart.

"Raja, will you not raise your head to greet them?" her uncle inquired gently.

With an almost inaudible shudder, she clasped her hands tightly together and raised her head. She took a small step forward and bowed cleanly at the waist. She quickly scanned their faces and scurried back to her uncle's side. She heard two large feet approach and then someone was kneeling in front of her. A hand was held out to her, palm up.

"My name is Arthur," the voice said warmly.

For a moment she could only gaze at his rough palm. It was clean but badly calloused. She looked up at her uncle and he nodded at her. Raja could not remember the last time she had touched someone so personally. Slowly, she put her much smaller hand in his. The responsive enveloping of her hand was gentle, the touch did not hurt. Raja brought her other hand to rest atop his as her eyes rose to meet his. Arthur's eyes were the color of trees, filled with kindness. Raja smiled at him.

Arthur grinned back and disengaged himself.

Another man came forth. "I am Dagonet." His voice was deep and friendly.

He is so tall, Raja thought. As with Arthur, she took his hand slowly. His face was very kind, his own eyes soft and a little sad. His had a thin scar that ran down below his left eye; Raja wondered how it came to be there. Perhaps, if they became friends, he would tell her someday.

"I'm Bors," a burly man announced loudly, though not unkindly.

It made Raja jump and Bors was instantly reprimanded by Dagonet.

"I'm sorry, Raja. You know I'm just pleased to meet you." He shook Raja's hand enthusiastically. He was happy to get a small giggle out of her. "Are you sure you're related to Lancelot? Because he looks like a horses's-"

"Bors," Dagonet said again, more sternly this time.

Bors rolled his eyes and winked at Raja.

"I'm Tristan," another man said. He did not kneel so they could be face to face and quickly backed away.

Raja looked up at her uncle and then back at Tristan. He had sharp features, tattoos on his cheeks and braids in his hair. His eyes were mostly covered by his brown locks, the rest of his face hidden by an unkempt beard.

And then…she saw her father. The last man who stood before her was like a ghost. His short brown curls, his nose, eyes…they were just like her papa. Tears filled her eyes and she reached out to him. Lancelot warily kneeled, wondering what she was going to do. He offered his hand but she did not take it. Her little hand reached out and touched his face as her eyes swept over him like a wave. Her palm came to rest upon his cheek before she moved to his hair. Raja elongated one of his curls and let it bounce back with the saddest smile on her face.

Raja said something to her uncle in her native tongue. "…papa," she said quietly.

Lancelot stood abruptly. All he had heard was "papa." Dear gods, she thinks I am her father, he thought frantically. "Does she think I'm her father?" he blurted.

Raja startled at the severed connection. She sensed she had upset her cousin in some way. Her face crumpled and she wrapped her arms around her uncle's leg.

"No," Ardeth replied. "She said that you resemble her father. And you do."

"Oh," Lancelot let out a breath.

"Idiot," Bors muttered, but loud enough for him to hear.

Lancelot shot him a scathing look.

"All is well, Lancelot," Ardeth assured him. "You've done nothing wrong." He felt the trembling of his niece and kneeled by her. He spoked to her quietly, she nodded and lifted her head. "I will take her to rest now."

"Of course," Arthur said.

"It was nice meeting you, Raja," Dagonet said.

Raja mustered a smile for them and bowed again. Ardeth picked her up; she rested her chin on his shoulder and gave the soldiers a small wave goodbye.

xxx

When the two of them were gone, Bors chided Lancelot, "You got a bigger mouth than me."

Lancelot scoffed. "If she spoke so I could understand I would not have misheard her."

"She is only a young girl," Dagonet told him

"How old was she again?" Bors asked. "I thought she was eight? Not that I know anything 'bout children, mind you. I don't think she looks eight."

"Her eyes don't," Tristan said absently.

The four other men looked at the usually silent scout in surprise.

"Such a wonderful observation," Lancelot noted dryly.

Tristan ignored him and turned to Arthur. "Are we done?"

"Yes, we're finished here."

Tristan rose from him seat and exited the room. He left the keep and headed for the stables needing the quiet of animals. He had not shaken her hand or bent down to face her, and now he was pondering if he should have. She seemed so lost and sad, and it niggled something deep in Tristan's chest he could not place, so he pushed it aside.

xxx

"I'm sorry," Raja said to her uncle when they entered her room. "I made him angry."

"Not at all, little one. He was simply nervous to meet you."

He set her down on the large chair in front of the fire. Bennu was gone, likely off exploring the halls. He wiped a tear from her cheek. "Would you like some tea?"

She nodded as Chione came in the room. "I found Bennu making a menace of herself already." Bennu jumped from her arms and settled on Raja's lap.

"I was just going to prepare some tea, Chione."

"Then I will sit with Raja and we will work on our knitting."

"How long will you be away?" Raja asked as she pet Bennu.

"I promise, not long at all," Ardeth assured.

xxx

The next few nights the men heard ghostly wails echoing through the corridors. They never lasted long; the sounds eventually dissipated like dark clouds. Every night Tristan expected it, before Raja came he could slip in and out of sleep with ease, now; he could not fall abed until the first screams ceased. It discomfited him in a way that was difficult to describe as he was prone to not much of anything invoking any sort of feeling within him. One night he listened to the cries that mingled with rain outside, he stared at the ceiling, the fireplace casting dancing shadows upon it.

As for Lancelot, he could not bear them any longer. After the first few nights he left the loftier comfort of the keep to sleep in the barracks with the lower ranking officers. On the way, he ran into Bors and Dagonet who had also poked their heads out of their rooms in curiosity and worry.

"Where are you going, Lancelot?" Dagonet asked.

"A place where a man can rest through the night!" he answered shortly.

xxx

As the weeks went by, Ardeth took Raja around the fortress with Galen in tow as he extolled her with the history of Britain and Hadrian's Wall. Galen helped her collect plants and flowers for learning purposes. He taught her languages, both spoken and written, along with arithmetic, philosophy and theology. It was Ardeth's wish that she be learned of books, defense and womanly pursuits. He believed the expansion of her mind would keep her well occupied.

On a sunnier day, their afternoon strolls took them to the training grounds. It was not altogether different than the one in Egypt. Her Sarmatian kin seemed to keep themselves apart from the Roman soldiers unless instructed to do otherwise.

"Finally, something I recognize," Christos commented, eliciting a chuckle from the Egyptian warriors. The five of them remarked on the different fighting styles they noted, nodding and shaking their heads at the sparring.

Sparring was done with wooden swords and shields. Her cousin Lancelot looked to be a cocky fighter, often ribbing his comrades when he got the upper hand. All but Tristan spewed friendly curses during practice. Raja was given a small stool to sit on as Ardeth was called to impart some fighting wisdom to his youngers. Eventually, the five Egyptian soldiers also joined in to keep their movements fresh and expand their knowledge base. The only part Raja was allowed to partake in was archery, although her uncle was in the process of teaching her sword stances.

The archery field was lined with several targets where a few men were practicing. Her small bow looked a toy compared to the others, and Ardeth's African long bow was three times the size of hers. Lancelot raised his brows as she approached the field. Once she was placed an appropriate distance from her target, Ardeth instructed her to keep her feet shoulder width apart and arms steady. She had been practiced in archery since she was four; her father had thought it was a good place to start in combat.

Raja took all her studies with the utmost seriousness, and she did not want to embarrass herself in front of her kin. She nocked her arrow, taking a breath to steady her aim. She felt she was being watched by the others, and indeed she was as they had never had a woman on the training grounds with them. When she was ready she released the arrow for it to hit the upper left of the bull's eye.

"Very good, Raja," Ardeth said.

"But I missed," she replied.

"You haven't practiced at this distance often, it will take time."

"You almost got it," Dagonet encouraged. Bors echoed his sentiment.

Raja sighed, setting her lips resolutely. Bes tapped her shoulder gently and bent down to give her a word of advice to which she listened to intently. She nodded before nocking another arrow. She noted Tristan a few yards down watching keenly. She wondered if he knew she had been following him around inside the keep or spying on him in the stables – the only two places her uncle left her alone. Raja released her breath as she let loose the arrow – this time, she hit closer to the center. A large grin broke on her face.

"Excellent," Ardeth told her, returning her smile. "What did I tell you? Continue to practice."

After twelve more arrows, Raja begged her uncle to split one down the middle. "Please, will you?" she asked eagerly. She did so love to see his expertise.

Ardeth capitulated and easily broken one of her arrows to which he received a round of applause.

"Can you do that, Tristan?" Bors asked.

The scout only glared at him.

When the practice day was over all the arrows were collected and placed in their quivers. They walked back to the west gate together into the rear room of the armory. Raja approached Tristan cautiously. He felt a tug on his jerkin and looked down wordlessly.

"You are very good," Raja told him.

He made a sound which Raja took as polite acknowledgement and returned to putting away his equipment. After a moment he realized she was still standing next to him. He peered around the room, seeking Ardeth for intervention but the Egyptian was speaking to Arthur.

"Your uncle is over there," he told her.

She looked at her uncle, then back at him quizzically. "I know."

"No use trying to break conversation with this one," Lancelot interrupted. He hung his bow on the wall. "He is lone as they come. The notion of friends is far beneath him."

Tristan's golden-brown eyes set on him harshly. "You would do well to remember who the better fighter is."

Lancelot waved him off as Tristan turned his back on him, giving an amused chuckle under his breath. "He is from the Iazyges tribe, you know," he said to his cousin. "All his kind are blood-thirsty. Do you know what those tattoos are on his face?"

She shook her head, fascinated that her cousin was broaching conversation with her.

"Those tattoos are a sign of manhood in his tribe. They get marked after their first kill."

"Kill whom?" she asked.

He shrugged laconically "Anyone, I suppose. I don't think they much care. Did you know they even kill their own warriors when they can no longer fight?"

At this, Raja gasped. "But why?"

"Because they are no good any more. I've heard tell that old warriors are killed by their sons or they jump off of a cliff." He laughed softly at her aghast expression.

"I don't believe Tristan would kill his own father," Raja told him.

Lancelot laughed. "What makes you think he has a father? Maybe he was born from the belly of a beast." He realized quickly he had been bantering with her, as he had often done with his younger sister, telling her scary tales to get a rise. The mirth quickly left his face and he turned to leave.

"Lancelot," Raja called to him before he could get too far.

"Hmm?"

"Would you…would you sit with me before my bed time? I could introduce you to Bennu."

After a moment of silence, he nodded.

xxx

Raja sat in front of her fire with Bennu on her lap as she waited for her cousin. She was getting tired. She hoped he had not forgotten about her. Bennu purred when scratched behind the ears, and Raja was glad for her feline companion. The cat had snuck in her bedroom window in Egypt one evening after the death of her parents and never left. Ardeth had allowed Raja to keep her.

"I hear him coming," Ardeth told her.

Lancelot stood hesitantly at his cousin's door. He greeted Ardeth.

"I will leave you two for a moment," Ardeth said.

"When will you come back?" Raja asked.

"Very shortly," he replied. "Please, sit, Lancelot. I'll not be gone long." Ardeth had a feeling Lancelot needed assurance of his return, as well.

Lancelot occupied the chair vacated by Ardeth. "This is Bennu, I take it?" The cat responded to her name, yellow eyes peered at him drolly. The cat's beaded necklace glinted in the firelight.

"Yes, she is my good friend," Raja replied with a smile. The cat studiously ignored Raja's cousin. "Do you like cats?"

"Not particularly."

"Oh." Raja did not know how to respond to that. "In Egypt, cats are good luck, you know. They protect people. They eat poisonous snakes. I have asked her to be swift and merciful when hunting for food. I think that is the kind thing to do."

"I see."

They lapsed into silence. Raja bit her lip, unsure of how to proceed. She felt for the dragon amulet in her pocket. Lancelot's eyes widened when he saw it.

"My papa gave this to me. He said your father had one too."

He took his out from underneath his vest, holding it by the thread of twine. Raja gazed at it as if it were an ancient treasure. Gently, she set Bennu aside and pulled back the blanket on her lap. She went to stand next to Lancelot and put her amulet beside his.

"They are almost the same," she said. "See?"

"I do," he replied with a small smile.

Ardeth returned then, he saw they were both smiling and he was glad for it.

"Look, Uncle Ardeth," Raja exclaimed. "Our amulets are almost the same."

Ardeth grinned at her, not failing to notice the flush of discomfiture that flashed on Lancelot's face. The younger soldier stood up, putting his trinket back into his vest.

"I'm sure you need your rest now," Lancelot said.

Before Raja could look too disappointed, Ardeth stepped in to agree. "It has been a long day, little one."

"I understand," she told him. "May I hug you, Lancelot?"

Both men were surprised at the inquiry. Lancelot, because it had been so long since he had hugged someone, and Ardeth because it had been so long since Raja had been comfortable showing affection to anyone but him. The hope he felt tightened in his chest.

Hesitantly, Lancelot bent down and embraced her, feeling her small, fragile frame in his arms. Her arms wrapped around his neck and squeezed tightly.

"Goodnight, Lottie," Raja whispered.

xxx

Tristan knew when was being followed. Why she saw fit to, he did not know. He did not call attention to it as she only trailed him in the keep and in the stables. He imagined these were the only places her uncle left her alone for a time, although Chione and Galen were often with her. He felt the intrusion was harmless enough. On this day, he saw the little girl duck below the stable her horse resided in, thinking she was well hidden.

He clicked his tongue at his horse, Dyne, in greeting and rubbed the steed's nose. He procured a carrot from his pocket which the horse ate greedily.

"Slow down, you," Tristan said, not unamused.

The soldier brushed the gray-white fur, taking respite from people. He long preferred the company of his horse or the forest to anyone since he could remember. It had always been so, even when he was a young boy. His tribe was nomadic and mostly solitary compared to the others of Sarmatia.

Raja watched him from Odin's stable. She tried her best to be quiet and not disturb Tristan. After Lancelot had told her about Tristan's tribe, Raja had a host of questions for her uncle and Galen. She wanted to know if their warriors really did jump off cliffs when they could not fight anymore and wondered if they could not simply be useful in other ways if they could no longer go to battle. She hoped Tristan would never jump from a cliff, but he had many fighting years ahead of him. He was so very agile, always moving with intent. He spoke little, but to the point.

From the corner of his eye he saw a cat jump on the stall door and perch itself. It was gray with piercing yellow eyes, the same cat he saw in the hallways of the keep, hunting quietly at night.

"Bennu, no," he heard Raja whisper.

He smirked. Tristan put the brush away, casually walking to Odin's door, leaning against the separator with arms crossed. He took an apple from his pocket and began to eat shaved slices with his dagger. After the count of four slices, the little girl finally greeted him.

"Hello."

He turned and looked down. She stared up at him. Her hair and clothes were rumpled, covered in bits of hay. The stall door was taller than her, and she was straining to peer over it.

"Are you following me?" He bit into another piece of apple.

"Well…not today I wasn't," she admitted. "I was in here before you. I got locked in."

His gaze narrowed, flicking to the latch on the stall which had fallen shut. He pushed himself from the wall, lifted the latch and opened the door.

"Thank you," she said. Odin followed her out of the stall and nibbled her hair eliciting a giggle. The black horse nudged Tristan for the leftover apple. The soldier snorted and gave it over. "This is Odin," she said. "And that is Bennu. Do you like cats?"

Tristan shrugged a shoulder. "They're fine. They keep vermin down." For some reason this made Raja smile wide.

"I like cats, too! They make good friends. Odin is also my friend."

Tristan nodded, ready to leave the stables for other duties.

"Do you have friends?" she asked him.

He stopped mid-step, facing her again. Tristan heard rain start the pelt the roof. "No."

She was about to say something else, but a booming crash of thunder sounded. Raja yelped in fright, shaking. Tristan did not know what to do. "It's just thunder. It can't hurt you."

"Uncle!" Raja cried, running past Tristan. Ardeth picked her up and patted her back. He spoke to her softly and it seemed to comfort her.

"I gather it will take her some time to get used to all this rain," Ardeth told him.

"I introduced him to Bennu and Odin," Raja said.

"Did you then, little one?" He wiped a fallen tear from her cheek. "And how did you come to be covered in all this hay?"

Raja giggled. "Bennu hid in Odin's stall. I went to find her and the door closed behind me and locked. Tristan came to save me."

Tristan's grimace did not go unnoticed by Ardeth.

"I hope you thanked him," the Egyptian said.

"I did," she replied. Raja asked something in her native tongue which caused her uncle's brow to rise. Raja turned to Tristan, "Would you like to have lunch with me?" When Tristan did not immediately reply, Raja looked sad. "I understand. Maybe another day." She laid her head on her uncle's shoulder.

Tristan cleared his throat, feeling guilty. "No, I will."

xxx

They sat in Ardeth's study. Ardeth spoke quietly with Galen while Tristan and Raja sat on the opposite side of the room in front of the fire eating soup and bread. She was boosted on a pillow to reach the table while Bennu napped at her feet. To his surprise, Raja ate in companionable silence with him and he found her company to be not at all unpleasant.

"Do you play petteia, Trissy?" Raja asked him. "Maybe you know it as ludus latrunculorum?"

His nose scrunched at the nickname, but he chose to ignore it. "A little."

"Galen taught me. Would you like to play?" She was already getting out of her seat and taking the game box from a nearby shelf.

He signed inwardly and glanced at Ardeth, he saw there would be no judgement if he chose to exit. Yet, he had nothing else to do at this very moment, and he never passed up an opportunity to improve on anything, especially a game of tactics. "I have time for a game."

xxx

"Do you think they will return today, Chione?" Raja asked her. "They were supposed to be here yesterday."

Three weeks ago the Sarmatian soldiers and Arthur were tasked with escorting a bishop to a fort much further away. It was quiet without them, and she found herself missing them for she had developed camaraderie with each one. During her days, Galen continued to teach her languages – she was near fluent in Latin and Greek, and he was teaching her the spoken language of the Picts. Presently, she and Chione were knitting socks for the soldiers to give to them upon their return. Between knitting Chione gave her lessons in the harp, flute and dancing.

"I do not know," Chione replied. "One cannot know how long these things take."

"Do you think they are all right?"

"I am sure they are, Raja."

"I hope so. I wish to have all these socks finished when they return. Ammon says that socks are sorely needed. I have already given some to him and the others."

"That was very kind of you. I am certain they appreciate you to no end."

"And you! I could not finish all of these without you."

Chione smiled at her fondly. Sweet girl, she thought.

xxx

From his study, Ardeth heard the horn of the soldiers' arrival. He knew his niece was anxious for their return. He arose from his seat and made his way to her room where she was already putting aside her knitting and gathering a pile of socks.

"Have they returned, Uncle Ardeth?" she inquired excitedly.

"Yes."

"We must go to them!"

Ardeth chuckled. "Very well. Gather your gifts, little one."

It was a windy day, but no rain. Raja could hardly stand still as she waited for the soldiers' approach.

Lancelot saw his cousin waving at them from a distance. He smothered a grin, shaking his head a little.

"Ah, what a happy face to see," Bors said. "Better than the lot of yous I've been looking at."

"I should have to agree," replied Dagonet.

"My face is always pleasant to look at it," Lancelot told them, which elicited disagreement from the rest.

"Hardly," Tristan muttered.

Bors dismounted and without thinking grabbed Raja up into a hug. She squeezed him back and it warmed his gruff heart.

"Chione and I made socks for you all," she announced, already reaching into her bag. Raja happily doled out two pairs to each soldier, which they took gratefully.

"This was very thoughtful of you," Arthur told her.

"Allow them to settle themselves, Raja, they've only just arrived." said Ardeth.

xxx

Later that afternoon, after washing and eating, Tristan went to check on his horse. The first thing he noticed was that many of the horses…were gone, including Dyne.

Jols hastily entered from the back door that led to an open field. He laughed. "Tristan, you have to see this for yourself." He gestured hastily for Tristan to follow.

The scout stepped out the back door, eyes peering around intently for signs of disturbance. Far off, nearer the gravesite of fallen soldiers, Raja was surrounded by several horses, some were grazing, and others were lazing about rolling on the grass. Bennu sat regally atop Odin.

"What…" Tristan muttered under his breath.

"Is it not the oddest thing?" Jols said. "I tried calling them back and they wouldn't listen, then I saw her in the middle of them." As a learned stableman, it was rare he saw such tight control on a herd of horses. Though soldier's horses were highly trained, they could often be stubborn with anyone but their main rider.

"Do you believe this?" Lancelot was leaning against the stable wall, watching. He was bewildered, but amused.

Tristan let out a short laugh, and both Jols and Lancelot stared at him in surprise.

"Was he laughing?" Bors asked, joining them. "I never thought I'd hear it. You hear that, Dag?"

Tristan sneered at him. Dagonet patted the scout on the back.

"So this is where everyone went," Ardeth said, followed by Arthur. "Ah," he mused, eyes alighting on his niece. "I surmised this would occur sooner or later."

"Has she done the like before?" Arthur asked.

The Egyptian nodded. "In Egypt there was rarely a time a camel, donkey, horse or some creature with four legs was not following her."

Raja saw them in the distance and waved. "We've been found," she told the horses. "I suppose we should go back now." She saw her uncle gesture to her. "I'm coming, Uncle," she called.

The little girl had been so glad for the continued sunlight. After such a long journey she thought the horses could do with simple relaxation. She wanted to tell them about herself and her family. Her father's side was expert horse riders; they believed that fallen soldiers came back as horses to roam free for eternity. He had told her this tale during winter, a time when it rained heavily and the Nile would flood. She had trouble falling asleep when it rained, so he would always tell her stories to ease her mind and heart. He said that it could not rain all the time, and the sun would come out eventually, and no matter how dark the night, morning always comes.