The party of fifteen Knights travelled for two days across British soil toward the Roman family in need of aid. The summer sun shone brightly upon their necks as the riders urged their horses on faster.

It was only when the sun had begun to set upon their second that Arthur pulled his steed to a halt and held up his hand for his Knights to follow suit.

“We will rest here!” He called out with a strong voice, demanding their attention. “Make camp in those woods.” He pointed to a large expanse of woodland ahead of them. Tristan however, disapproved of his commander’s choice of camp.

“Arthur, we are too close to the wall, we are at greater risk of attack from the woads. We should travel further South to make camp.” He said as he stroked his hawk’s head with uncharacteristic regard.

“The horses are exhausted as are my remaining Knights, Tristan. We camp here but be alert for attack. I fear that the woads will have no remorse for us if Merlin does wish to attack.”

“I agree with Arthur.” Lancelot said as he lent forwards and stroked his weary horse. Tristan gazed to Arthur’s second in command sternly for a moment before pushing his hawk into the air.

“I will ride ahead.” Tristan said in frustration before kicking his heels into the horse’s flank. Despite it’s exhaustion it responded immediately, carrying its master at high speed toward the trees.

“How far are we from the Roman family, Arthur?” Ciara asked her commander.

“We have another days ride to the estate but every league we travel takes us closer to the woads.” She nodded slightly before following Tristan and the remaining Knights toward the woods.

A camp was quickly assembled between the thick trees, camouflaging as much of their presence as possible. Knights tended to their horses before lying on the ground in the hope of some sleep. Safety however, was paramount and as a group of Knight’s slept another small group watched for attack, heavily armed and apprehensive.

Ciara was lucky, she was to take the third watch allowing her a decent time to sleep. The time unfortunately, passed quickly and it only seemed a few moments later when Tristan shook her from her slumber. She mumbled slightly before hitting out at him, wanting to remain asleep.

“Ciara.” He whispered softly as he shook her. At his voice her eyelids fluttered open, gazing up toward his dirty and strained face.

“I am sorry, Tristan.” He smiled slightly and shook his head.

“It is your watch.” He said before holding his hand out and helping her to her feet. “It is fast approaching dawn, you know the risk that brings.” She nodded slightly before gathering up her weapons and pulling more clothes tightly around her.

“Get some rest, you look terrible.” She said to him before walking toward the edge of the wood and looking out across the land, covered in darkness.

There was silence, only the occasional sound of the Knight’s moving behind her in their sleep. There were no woads in the distance approaching their camp and no threat of arrows catapulting through the air, all was well.

She could see Galahad in the distance, gazing toward the North along with Gawain. They stood closely together silently discussing a matter of great amusement. They laughed together quietly but their eyes and most of their concentration remained on the woads. They would never endanger their brothers-in-arms and they both knew that their main priority this evening was preventing that risk.

As Ciara smiled to Gawain there was a loud crack to her left. Instinctual reaction made he pull an arrow into her bow and point it into the direction of the noise.

“Who is there?” She said in a strong voice. Her eyes were fixated on the spot where the noise escaped but no one spoke or escaped from the darkness of the trees.

“Ciara?” Gaheris said as he approached from the camp. “What is it?” He stopped at her shoulder and gazed toward the point where her arrow was fixated.

“Be quiet!” She said with a hiss. Gaheris obeyed and raised his sword, preparing for any attack that might come.

She knew that they were being watched, she could feel it. There was someone among the trees watching their every movement. Had they been there all night watching and waiting for the perfect time to attack? Thoughts raced through her mind and as she forced herself back to reality she saw a distinct movement between the trees. Releasing her arrow she heard it hit her target and the screams of the injured party.

“Was it a woad?” He asked as he gazed into her face.

“I will soon know.” She said as she approached the trees and rushed toward the screams of pain, Gaheris following close behind.

Gaheris watched the direction of the young Knight in front of him as she darted between the trees, her feminine and flexible figure allowing her to jump many obstacles he found a little more challenging. Hence why, with some reluctance she reached the injured party before him.

He approached slowly as she gazed down at her target, wanting to ensure that there were no more woads planning to attack.

“Why did Merlin send you south of the wall?” Ciara asked in anger as she held the woad by the throat. This was an easy challenge for Ciara as the woad was a woman, injured and angry. “Speak or I will kill you!” She threatened as she held the woad to the ground.

“Kill me I will tell you nothing!” The woad spat with fury. Gaheris was stood over her, taking a sharp dagger from his boot. He polished it on his trousers slightly before placing it in her waiting hand.

“As you wish.” Ciara said as she raised the blade into the air. Yet as she thrust the dagger into the woads chest a scream also escaped from Gaheris. She immediately turned from her position upon the woad to see a sword approaching her face. The glimmering metal shining in the rising sun and reflecting the blue of the attackers face.

Ciara pushed herself from the dead body quickly and rolled into the dirt, gazing toward the new woad as his sword passed through air and into the lifeless woad. It would have been a perfect strike, she would have been dead. Instead he snarled at his attempts and removed the sword, swinging it in circles before him.

Ciara understood the challenge and stood immediately, gazing around to see three other male woads observing. This was dangerous but it would be even more treacherous to call for aid. Realizing this ultimatum she drew her sword and admired its evenness, knowing that this could mean life or death. Then her eyes found Gaheris, his lifeless body lying on the muddy ground, a woad arrow protruding from his back. Anger boiled in her blood and as she raised her eyes to the woads she wanted to see them slaughtered, every one of them.

“We are under attack!” She called out at the top of her voice. “Woads!” She saw the anger flare in the woads’ faces and as the other three stood forward drawing their swords she stepped forward in challenge.

Her sword hit the metal of the woads’ before she raised her fist, aiming a well timed punch to his nose. As the bone in his nose broke she raised her sword and forced it through his chest. He fell immediately before she turned and faced the next.

“You Samartian filth!” He hissed as he swung with his sword. She laughed slightly, blocking his attempts before raising her knee into contact with his groin. He recoiled in pain before her sword was thrust into his body.

Ciara’s eyes fixated upon the remaining two woads as she bent down to retrieve another sword. She swung them both leisurely in her hands as they approached, walking steadily until they broke into a run. The sound of the swords meeting echoed through the woods before Ciara was met by a heavy blow to the face. She fell to the ground, blood seeping from her mouth as the woads approached. She clutched her own sword tightly in her hand before reaching out the other which had flown a short space across the ground. As he fingers touched the hilt a heavy foot pressed down upon them. She cried out quickly before raising her own sword and pushing it through the woads leg. There was a crack of broken bones before the other woad forced his foot into her ribs. She clutched them painfully before another blow hit her leg. She shouted in pain and watched as the remaining woad prepared to deliver another blow to her ribs. Yet as his foot rose he was pushed back by a strong force and fell to the ground. There he struggled to his feet, never removing his eyes from his new attacker.

Gawain had been the first Knight upon the scene and had found the one standing woad forcing unimaginably hard blows into Ciara while other bodies lay around the space.

“Ciara!” Dagonet said as he slid to a stop at her side and gazed down into her face.

“I am well!” She said as she held her ribs.

“You are not, allow me to aid you.” Dagonet saw the sadness form in her eyes then, a great sadness that he had not seen in many months. He knew it well, for he felt it himself every time one of their Brother’s was killed.

She forced herself up quickly and rushed across the ground to where Gaheris’ body lay. There she pushed him over and shook him vigorously.

“Gaheris!” She cried out and she hit his face with more strength than necessary. “Gaheris!” As Ciara gazed down into his unresponsive face Dagonet wrapped his hands around her shoulders.

“He has gone, Ciara.” He whispered softly.

“No, he hasn’t! Gaheris!” Tears fell freely down her face mingling with the blood.

“He has gone!” Dagonet said roughly as he pulled her away. “Come away.”

“I cannot, it was my mistake, and I should never have pursued them!”

“It was not your mistake you did all you had to!” Dagonet said as he forced her away from the body of their friend and Brother. It was only then that she realised the remaining Knights stood watching in horror, including Arthur. Another of his Knights had been killed during their contract to Rome and as usual he felt severe sadness and remorse.

“Dagonet, make sure she is well, aid her as much as you can for the journey. Gawain, Bors and Kay prepare Gaheris’ body.” The Knights all nodded slightly before going about their own duties.

Dagonet silently escorted Ciara to the nearest tree and sat her down. There she spat the fresh blood from her mouth in anger.

“I need to see your ribs.” Dagonet said kindly.

“My ribs are not hurting me. I will be well.”

“I want to see your ribs.” This was a command that Ciara could no longer refuse. She nodded slightly before pulling her shirt up. His hands were cold but tender and they caused no more pain than necessary. He fingered each rib gently, watching her reaction before pressing them a little harder.

“They do not appear to be broken.” He said with a smile as he pulled her shirt down. “But they may be bruised.” She nodded. “It may be painful.”

“We are near the family we only have one more days ride.” Dagonet agreed before pulling her to her feet and walking her back to the group of Knights.

There Ciara watched as Gaheris was carried back toward the camp, his Brothers holding him tightly to them. Meanwhile, Arthur and Dagonet stood a short distance away whispering to one another. Her brutal treatment by the woads would be of concern to Arthur, she knew that well enough. He despised seeing anyone being harmed, his Knights most of all. She only hoped that the last day of riding may be more pleasurable and that they may have a short time without the woads attempting to attack. But that was a futile thought, the woads would always be there to attack and she would always be there to respond, no matter how brutally they attacked.