tCotS
The Conquest of the Soul

Prologue

“We have to pull back Callisto! The Saxons are going to kill all of us! Retreat!” Phaedra fought her way to her cousin’s side and yelled the words at her over the storm.
Callisto squinted, stabbed a Saxon and turned back to her cousin. “RETREAT!” she screamed to the storm.
The Amazons heard her and fled into the trees. Callisto and Phaedra were the last Amazons to reach the trees. The last the Saxons saw of the Amazons were a red headed girl and a black headed girl fleeing into the trees, with arrow after arrow raining down through the storm, protecting their retreat.
As the Amazons reached the cliffs past the forest Callisto paused looking out over the ocean. Phaedra made her way over to her cousin, looking in her face for some emotion, knowing Callisto hated to have to admit defeat, especially against the Saxons.
Callisto’s jet black hair was whipping around her face and neck, and she heard her cousin walking up behind her. She hung her head as Phaedra drew close but then as Phaedra put her hand on Callisto’s arm she straightened and looked out to the ocean. Phaedra drew level with her cousin and while the other Amazons slowly made their way to the cliffs, Phaedra’s red hair and Callisto’s black hair streamed out behind them, like they were riding the wind.
Thunder rolled as Europa joined her friends. The rain streamed down, and drenched the clothes of all the Amazons.
“Look!” Europa breathed. “Ships!” She pointed.
“They’re not Saxon either!” Phaedra proclaimed.
“Then…they must be Roman.” Callisto looked puzzled. “Look, isn’t that one of the Roman flags?”
Phaedra, Europa and Callisto looked down towards the ships, feeling like something was about to happen. Something that they wouldn’t be able to control, whatever they did to prevent it.

The rain poured down, making the leather cling even more to their bodies.
“Look! They don’t look like Saxons.” The blonde haired man pointed up towards the cliffs at the many figures, staring down at the number of ships while he looked at his dark headed friend.
“I wonder who they are.” His friend murmured as they squinted, looking through the rain at the cliffs.
A moment later the figures had disappeared and the two men were left wondering if they had imagined it.

Chapter 1

“You know Lancelot; I want to know who those figures belonged to up on the cliffs.” His best friend, Orion, nudged his bay so he was riding along side his friend.
Lancelot frowned. “I’d believe it if you told me they were women – their figures looked too…well feminine to be male.”
“And you’d know how?” Orion grinned at his friend. “Lancelot!” he yelled as that person nudged his horse so he was moved off the path. “Watch it!” He kept yelling pushing the black horse with his hand as hard as he could so Lancelot was moved off the path.
“Orion!” Lancelot yelled, his voice echoing to the trees and beyond.

“Orion!” The three figures that had been crouched down by the roadside had been listening and watching Lancelot’s antics with his friend.
One of the people at the side of the road turned to the two companions and whispered. “I have a plan.” They quickly rose and disappeared into the trees.

“Stop.” Lancelot held up his hand. “I could’ve sworn I just heard movement.”
“Same.” Orion said, looking around curiously. He leapt off his horse and walked to the road side. Lancelot followed suit, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
“Lancelot!” Orion yelled from one side of the road. “We can firmly say it was not a Saxon. Well it might have been, but it would be a fairly odd one.” He held up a girdle. “Someone has been here Lancelot.”
Lancelot jogged over to his friend. Orion passed the girdle over to his friend.
“It’s warm.” Lancelot looked amazed.
“Warm?” Orion’s jaw nearly hit the ground. “You’re kidding me.”
Lancelot shook his head and passed the girdle back.
“Oh god!” Orion looked horrified.
“Let’s keep going. But we HAVE to keep our eyes open. We have notice everything going on around us.” Lancelot said, walking back to the black horse that was waiting patiently for its master. He lifted himself easily onto the horse’s back. Orion joined him on his bay and the army started moving once again.
“I have the feeling we’re being watched.” Lancelot murmured, leaning closely to Orion.
Orion nodded and dropped back from the lead and said something softly into the ear of one of the commanding officers.

From one of the trees a woman chuckled watching their every move. ‘Those two dressed in the black leather don’t look to bad…maybe I could seduce them. For our purposes.’ She thought to herself as she ran over to the next tree to keep them in sight.

Chapter 2

The early evening was warm. Most of the soldier’s were lounging around with nothing on their top halves, with just their leather pants and boots on.
Orion, Lancelot and a few of their friends were sitting on logs and stones, poking the fire that they had made, talking, laughing, eating and drinking.
“So do you think you’ll ever want to go back to Rome?” Orion poked Lancelot in the ribs.
“And see those whores? Not bloody likely! I’d prefer to get a palace here…” Lancelot said smirking.
“SHUT UP!!!” Orion yelled and threw a stick at him.

Orion let out a slow whistle. He nudged Lancelot, who had started to fall asleep leaning against a tree trunk.
“Look over there.” Orion said his gaze never leaving the one spot.
Lancelot looked surprised but after he looked, his mouth turned into a big ‘O’.

‘Everything is going to plan.’ Fire danced in the blue eyes. ‘Which one do I want?’

“She may be a Saxon whore.” Lancelot hissed as Orion stood up.
“I’ll be careful.” Orion said grinning. He walked slowly towards the woman who was standing there, watching his every move.

‘I wish the cut wasn’t that deep.’ She thought moving painfully.

Orion saw the pain flash across her face, saw the way she moved, like she was in pain. He quickened his pace slightly.

‘Time to play games.’

As Orion drew near the woman, she moved back slightly, as if she was expecting to be hit.
“It’s alright. I won’t hurt you.” He said holding out his hand.
‘No, but I will.’
“Please.”
‘What? You want me to beg?’
She quickened her pace, never once turning away from him.
“What do you want of me?” her voice was scared, like she wanted to hide away from the world. ‘I never knew I could make myself sound like that, on purpose!’
“I want to help you. Are you in pain? Are you alright? Please! I want to help you!” He said, reaching out, and touching her back ever so slightly, as she moved away from him.
‘Oh my god! That hurts!’ The woman moaned out loud and tried to steady her balance. Orion put out his arms, and caught her as she collapsed into them.

Lancelot had seen what had happened and was already on his feet and running towards them as Orion looked towards him, holding an unconscious woman.

Chapter 3

‘Where am I?’ where the first thoughts Phaedra had as she regained consciousness.
She opened her eyes as she realised there was something on her forehead.
“You’re awake!” came the soft lilting voice.
Phaedra looked in the direction of the voice and saw a tall, handsome dark haired man sitting next to her.
‘He must be that man that was at the lead of that army.’
“Mmmmm….” She moaned.
“I’m Lancelot. Are you feeling alright?” He smiled taking one of her hands.
“I’m Phaedra. My back hurts.” She shivered and yelped.
Lancelot instantly looked concerned.
“What’s the matter?” Orion turned around from the bowl of water he’d been filling.
Lancelot met his gaze looking concerned. “Are you wounded?” he asked, addressing Phaedra.
“My back.” She whimpered.
Orion went to the other side of the bed, and between them, they moved her, so that she was on her stomach.
“Do you mind?” Lancelot and Orion hesitated.
Her only reply was to moan softly.
The two men took that as ‘yes’.
Little did they know, that she was actually plotting in her mind, what was to happen.
‘Callisto would die to be in my position now! Without clothes on their top half! Well maybe she can join in later.’
Lancelot fiddled around with the back of her dress.
“Here.” Phaedra’s hands met Lancelot’s and she shooed him away.
‘Damn. If only that were me.’ Orion said watching as Phaedra un-did her own dress, moved it down her body, so they could almost…’Stop letting your thoughts run away!’
Lancelot and Orion gasped as they saw the cut, running from the back of her neck, running down, ending just above the opened fabric.
Orion walked briskly and picked up the bowl of water.
“This might hurt.” Lancelot said, leaning over Phaedra.
Orion dipped a piece of fabric in the water, and put it over her cut.
Phaedra gritted her teeth and tried to bear it.
Lancelot sat down on the bed by her shoulder and looked at her anxiously. “Are you alright?”
One of her hands touched his thigh, he looked down at it and that hand grabbed one of his hands. She tightened her grip on him.
Lancelot’s free hand smoothed her hair.
“Sshh…” he said soothingly, looking at her wounds with a twisted face that was full of emotion.

“I’ll go now.” Callisto said, her black hair waving in the slight breeze.
“Good luck. We’ll be waiting.” Europa said, giving her friend a hug.
“You look really pretty Callisto. There’s no way they will be able to resist you.” Penelope, another Amazon said.
Callisto smiled at the gathered Amazons and walked through the trees towards a camp.

As Orion turned to tip the bloodied bowl of water outside of the tent, Lancelot felt a hand travel up his thigh. He looked down at Phaedra.
“Phaedra…are you sure you are feeling well?” he said looked curiously at the red mop of hair, wishing he knew the thoughts that were running through her mind.
“Very…” she whispered as she brought her mouth up to meet his.
“Lancelot?” Orion’s voice cut through their kiss.
“Orion.” By now, Phaedra had learnt their names properly. She moved over so she was facing Orion and brought him down so he was lying on top of her. She started kissing him, but when Lancelot tried to move, she put her hand out to stop him.
He moved quickly past her hand and walked out through the tent flap.
‘Damn!’ Phaedra thought, never once slowing down her kissing pace.

“This is where my acting skills come in handy!” Callisto said gleefully to herself, as she watched the young handsome man emerge from the tent looking quite put out.
She emerged from the trees and then started to collapse on the ground.

Lancelot pulled himself together, as he saw another woman emerge from the undergrowth. He started to walk towards her, and started running as she collapsed.

Orion and Phaedra were rudely pulled out of their kiss by Lancelot.
“Orion, look!” He said gasping for breath as his pushed his way into the tent, holding a black haired woman.
“Oh god!” Phaedra gasped. “That’s Callisto! My cousin! The Saxon bastards must have hurt her!” Tears started pouring down her cheeks as she stood up, Orion her support, and walked slowly towards the still body.
‘Good acting!’ Callisto thought.
She let out a soft moan, as a sure sign that she was waking up. Lancelot and Orion looked at her anxiously while Phaedra held her breath.
“Where...where am I? You don’t look much like a Saxon.” She murmured as her eyes focused on Lancelot’s face.
“I’m not my lady. In fact, I intend to fight against them. My name is Lancelot. I understand from Phaedra that you are her cousin.” He said smiling down at Callisto.
“They…they tried to rape me.” Callisto said, gasping for breath, as tears slid down her face. She turned her head into Lancelot’s chest and suddenly remembered that he wasn’t wearing anything on that part of his body. She grinned to herself.
Lancelot felt something wet against his chest, and instantly realized what it was. Callisto was crying.
“Oh Callisto.” Phaedra moved to her cousins side.
Lancelot and Orion couldn’t tell what she said then but it sounded like ‘May gurna neon?’ They couldn’t tell what she had actually said.
Then the reply came back something that sounded like ‘Gwina thorian cardemore.’
“Phaedra, what are you saying? What language is it?” Orion said frowning.
“It’s our dialect. It is compulsory from where we come from to learn the language of the Romans and our dialect.” Phaedra said, avoiding the first question.
“Phaedra, what are you saying?” Lancelot said frowning at her.
“People must not know the dialect, unless they are some way related to one of us, or they are close friends somehow.” Callisto said looking up at Lancelot, who was still holding her in his arms.
“Put her down here Lancelot.” Orion said moving aside so Lancelot would be able to put Callisto down on the makeshift bed that Phaedra had been on.
Lancelot nodded, frowning, and he gently put Callisto down on the bed.
“Why are you two ladies out in the wilderness by yourselves? Do you not have a male companion to protect you?” Orion said frowning at her.
“Male comp…are you crazy? Where we come from, we women and girls protect ourselves. We have no men to protect us anymore, so it is a good thing that we have always learnt to do everything for ourselves.” Callisto said sputtering.
“Apparently we are crazy my lady. Where we come from, women never go out with either a slave, servant, friend or relation.” Lancelot said smiling slightly at the two women.
“Lancelot.” Orion nudged his friend.
Callisto was wearing a torn dress that was showing more skin, than an unmarried man should have seen, apart from his mother or sister. She was not wearing anything on her feet, and what would be her sleeves, were ripped to shreds. Over both legs, the material was ripped up to her hips.
“We would give you some clothes to change into my lady, but there are no women with us so we have no decent clothes to give a lady.” Lancelot said apologetically.
“I would hope you wouldn’t have women’s clothing with you or I might be starting to get very worried.” Callisto smiled at him.
Orion’s hand found its way around Phaedra’s waist.
‘Brilliant Phaedra.’ Callisto thought, smiling to herself. ‘You certainly work fast!’ As Lancelot started to look towards Orion, Callisto cleared her throat and coughed.
“Excuse me…Lancelot. Could I please have some water? My throat is aching.” She said coughing.
Lancelot immediately looked alarmed and disappeared out of the tent. Within moments he reappeared with a cup of water.
“Here, drink.” He smiled at her.
“Thank you.” Callisto smiled back at Lancelot.
“We had best be going.” Phaedra said, braking away from Orion.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” Orion said looking at her curiously.
“Us? Of course. We’ll be fine.” Phaedra smiled at him and walking to Callisto.
“With the Saxons all around us?” Lancelot said. “And anytime now, we’ll be forced into fighting them whether we are ready or not. And anyway, my lady was nearly raped by them so it isn’t safe to for you two ladies to be out on your own.”
‘Us? Amazons? The two of us have killed a whole camp full of Saxons. I guess we would be a bit slower because of our wounds but Europa and Penelope are meeting us just inside the shelter of trees.’ Phaedra thought while Callisto said “It is fine. We’ll be fine. Just for you to check that we are alright, would you like us to come back later on tonight when darkness has covered the sky?”
Lancelot was speechless.
“Sure!” Orion said elbowing his friend.
Callisto stood up with Phaedra holding her arm. As the two passed Lancelot and Orion, “By the way, nice chest Lancelot.” Callisto grinned and blew an air kiss to both of the men.
As the wind started blowing, Phaedra and Callisto disappeared into the trees.
“I’d believe it if you told me that they were fairies. Sent to show our desire for a woman. They are too beautiful to be real, though Phaedra definitely felt like flesh and blood.” Orion said standing at the tent flap, staring after the two women.
Lancelot just stared after them.

“That was good!” Callisto said laughing, leaning against a tree and then sliding down so she was sitting on the ground.
“By the way, nice chest! That was brilliant! And the story about nearly being raped…” Phaedra collapsed on the ground laughing hysterically.
“Are you two alright?” Penelope appeared from behind a tree.
“What’s so funny?” Europa said suspiciously.
“Bet you’d like to know wouldn’t you!” Phaedra giggled.
Callisto and Phaedra stood up and took the offered knives from Europa.
“Here you are.” Penelope handed them a bundle which held boots, a skirt and a sort of top.
“Change. We’ll keep watch.” Penelope said.
“It is funny. We’ll tell you on the way home.” Callisto said disappearing into the trees.
Penelope and Europa looked at one another, and burst out laughing.

A few minutes later saw four women, all clad in leather, riding over the plains.

Chapter 4

“You never told us you had clothes like that!” Europa said accusingly as she walked through the door. “Nice shoes!” referring to Callisto’s bare feet.
“You never asked.” Callisto said smiling sweetly. “It isn’t my fault.”
“Sure. Turn around.” Europa grabbed her friend’s hand and pushed her into the centre of the room.
“Why?” Callisto said.
“Because.” Europa pushed her friend. “Go.”
“Fine. I’m going I’m going.” Callisto walked towards the door.
“Not there you idiot.” Europa dragged her back to the centre of the room. “Now turn.”
Callisto rolled her eyes at her friend and turned around slowly.
“Wow.” Europa said slowly.
Callisto was wearing a creamy dress that was off the shoulder. The dress itself was very thin, and was almost see-through – it was in some places. The sleeves were long, and they flared out underneath. The neck line was very low and the bottom of the dress gracefully brushed the floor. There was golden embroidery on it, and the embroidery circled around her waist and turned into a girdle. The side of her hair was twisted back and there were little sprigs of Lavender entwined in it. The rest of her black hair fell down loosely to her waist.
“I would love to see the expressions on their faces after they see you!” Europa grinned.
“I can’t wait to be perfectly honest. Is Phaedra ready yet?” Callisto said, walking towards the door.
“I think so. Penelope was helping her before I came here.” Europa said following.
“What?” Callisto stopped. “You mean that you two were helping Phaedra and I had to get ready all by myself?”
Europa grinned.

“Talk about a beauty.” Penelope said looking up at the doorway, from Phaedra’s bed where she had been lying down stomach first, clutching one of the many pillows adorning Phaedra’s bed.
“I know! I wish I could see Lancelot when he sees our creation of beauty.” Europa grinned.
As Europa said that, Phaedra walked in another door.
“I deem you to be beautiful.” Callisto grinned at her friend as they caught one another’s gaze.
“Turn.” Penelope motioned to Phaedra. Phaedra did as asked and turned around slowly, like Callisto had done shortly before her.
Phaedra was wearing a dark blue dress that had white and black embroidery on it. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and like Callisto, wore nothing on her feet.
“Two beautiful women. I get so emotional when I look and see the younger image of myself.” Penelope sniffed. “Europa…”
Europa walked over to where Penelope sat sniffing.
“Oh god can you believe it? My own precious grand daughters going to sacrifice what should be for their husbands. They’re sacrificing it for no reason as well! How shocking!” And with that statement, Penelope buried her face into Europa’s shoulder.
“Idiot!” Callisto lightly whacked her friend over the back of her head – Penelope was laughing.
“Ow!”
“Didn’t hurt!” Phaedra said, linking arms with Callisto.
“Did so!”
Phaedra and Callisto disappeared through the door way.

“So let me get this right. You will seduce the two men and then so forth and so forth.” Europa said handing Phaedra the reins.
“Definitely!” Phaedra said grinning.
She nudged her grey over to where Callisto was leaning down, talking to Penelope.
“Coming?” she grinned.
Penelope patted the black mare that Callisto was riding and stepped back.

“So Callisto…” Phaedra started. Callisto looked over to Phaedra. “Which one do I get?”
A minute later, birds flocked in numbers to the sky as Callisto and Phaedra galloped on through the forest laughing to one another.

Chapter 5

“Do you think that they actually meant it when they said that they would be back?” Orion said, from where he was lying lazily on the ground beside Lancelot, around the fire.
“Well unless they’re the fairies you insist on saying they are, they probably will.” Lancelot said stretching, the muscles in his stomach contorting as he stretched. “What was that?”
Orion was in the middle of trying to poke Lancelot’s bare ribs but then gave up and settled down to sleep.
“What was what?” Orion opened one eye to look at his friend.
“That…it sounded like a horse neighing.” Lancelot sat up and looked around.
It was pay back time for Lancelot. It just happened to be this time that it was Orion got elbowed in the ribs.
“Watch it you great mindless git! One of these days you’ll hurt me so bad I wouldn’t be able to fight. Therefore pick on someone your own size!” Orion said batting Lancelot’s arm.
Lancelot growled at the back of his throat and stood up.
He started walking over to the forest that Phaedra and Callisto had disappeared into earlier on in the day.
Out of the trees came two horses, bearing two riders.

Orion was woken up by a kiss. He sat up immediately. Kneeling on the ground in front of him was Phaedra.
“Good evening my lord.” She smiled.
Orion smiled and looked past her. Two horses were standing a short distance away from them, one was a grey, Lancelot was standing in the middle holding the reins to both horses, and on the black was Callisto, who when she caught his gaze, smiled slightly and inclined her head to acknowledge him. He looked back at Phaedra who had stood up.
“We have freshened up as you can see.” She smiled walking back towards Lancelot.
‘Does this mean she wants him over me?’ Orion tensed, but then relaxed as she took her horses reins from Lancelot.
“We were about to eat. Would you care to join us?” Orion tried to look calm and collected as he stood up.
“We would be delighted.” Callisto smiled down at him. While Lancelot helped Callisto off her horse, Phaedra enquired “Is there somewhere our horses can get a drink?”
“Yes there is. You! What’s your name?” Orion looked around the camp and called the closest person.
“Arturius, sir.” The young man walked over quickly.
“Arturius. Could you please take these horses and take them to the stream and give them a drink. Don’t forget to un-tack them.” Orion said while Lancelot passed the man the reins.
“Aye, sir.” Arturius moved off with the horses.
“What would you like to do first?” Orion said smiling at Phaedra and Callisto who were standing next to one another.
“Have a look around the camp, if that’s alright with you of course.” Callisto said, putting her arm around Lancelot’s waist.
“Of course.” Lancelot smiled at her.
Phaedra walked over to Orion who held out his arm. “Thank you, sir.” She smiled at him.

“So you came here to get Rome’s old land back?” Callisto said, putting her beer cup down.
“Yes my lady.” Orion said. “Afterwards, most of these soldiers will return to Rome, while new soldiers and inhabitants will come over here.”
“Will you be staying?” Callisto said. Phaedra looked up, her breath held.
“It is highly doubtful my lady. This is just a mere island, and Rome would like to have a bigger empire. Lancelot and I will probably be sent back to Rome, and from there, into the barbaric lands.” Orion said, balancing meat on one leg, and bread on the other.
“So you’re just part of the invasion team?” Phaedra said, while her eyes started glistening.
“Sort of. Though Orion and I will be left until the next batch of ships come.” Lancelot said.
Phaedra breathed in slowly. “Excuse me.” She said. She stood up and walked away slightly and bent her head.
Callisto looked up. “Phaedra.” She breathed. She stood up. “Excuse me.” And walked away.

Phaedra brushed a tear away that was slipping down her face.
‘Why do I have to be like this? I’m an Amazon! Amazon’s don’t cry over something this trivial! I’ll be betting that Callisto will come after me. Fancy, one of the leaders of the Amazons being comforted by her own cousin! It’s stupid! I know she will come after me. Oh, I just want to be alone. If it has to be this way, I’d much rather go back to Rome with the soldiers just so I could be with…Callisto’s coming.’

Callisto followed Phaedra quickly and quietly.
‘Damn!’ Callisto trod on a twig and it snapped. ‘Now she’ll know I’m coming. I bet she’ll be upset at me following her and seeing her looking like this. She might even hate me for it. She better not because I’m just trying to help her. She’ll be upset that as one of the leaders, she won’t want anyone seeing her crying over something like this. I am her cousin so I do have a right to know.’

Callisto knelt beside Phaedra.
“Phaedra…” She put her hand on Phaedra’s back, feeling her cousin’s body shaking and trembling.
“Leave me alone.” Phaedra snapped, moving her body away from Callisto’s hand. “Go away.”
“I’m not about to…in fact I’m not going to. I’m just going to stay here.” Callisto sat down cross legged next to Phaedra.
Callisto could be very stubborn when she wanted to be. She started looking around for flowers. “Oh look! Flowers!” she leaned over and picked around twenty. She sat down and started making a necklace out of them. “I’ll just wait for you to talk to me then.” She smiled at the back of Phaedra, who had flung herself on the ground.

Minutes past, Callisto was content just to sit by her cousin and her friend. Phaedra had calmed down slightly, but still did not want to have to face the Amazon warrior that was sitting on the ground next to her, making a flower necklace.
“Listen…Phaedra. We’ve been here some time now and I really want to go back to the camp. But I am not willing, under any circumstance, to leave you alone here. Phaedra. We have a job to do for the Amazons. We can’t afford to waste time. What is more important to you? Having a broken heart, or having your homeland back. We have to fight for our country. I’m not willing to fight for it without you.” Callisto turned to her cousin. “Please Phaedra. For your sake, our sake, for the Amazons! Remember, nothing can come between us, nothing is supposed to come between the Amazons.”
Phaedra said nothing and did nothing. She knew that Callisto meant what she said and that she would get angry if Phaedra did not respond. She just didn’t want to have to face her cousin, her friend and her fellow warrior with tears streaming down her face. She did not want to have Callisto’s pity.
True to her nature Callisto’s temper quickly changed.
“Damnit Phaedra!” She punched the ground. “Get up! Face the world! You can’t hide! If you are then stop pretending that you’re an Amazon. Amazons DO NOT hide from the world. They fight! They don’t die over a broken heart, they hide their anger until they’re fighting! Especially against the Saxons!” She stood up and from where Phaedra was on the ground, she could tell that Callisto was angry.
Callisto looked down, glared at Phaedra and stalked off.
Phaedra looked up after her and tears started falling down her face even faster.

Chapter 6

‘Why am I so hard on her? I want my own cousin to be happy. I want her to find happiness. Why am I so hard on her? All she wants is to be happy. She really doesn’t deserve all this war – she has such a peaceful and innocent soul unlike me. I’ve always been waiting for war. I’ve wanted to kill the bastards, I’ve wanted the blood, the knowledge that I have fought for my people. She never has. She never wanted to. All she ever wanted to do when we were younger was to pretend that she was married. Not to fight.’ Callisto walked towards the camp unhappily.

“Where have they got to?” Orion said worriedly as he and Lancelot stood up and looked around.
“I don’t know…” Lancelot broke off. “Isn’t that Callisto?”
Orion and Lancelot ran over to the outskirts of the camp.
“Callisto! What’s wrong?” Lancelot kneeled down beside Callisto.
“Nothing. It’s starting to rain.” Callisto looked up at the sky.
“Where’s Phaedra?” Orion was hovering behind the Lancelot.
“Over there.” Callisto nodded.
“You’re freezing.” Lancelot said touching her arm.
“I am?” Callisto smiled slightly.
Lancelot rolled his eyes and picked her up.
“Lancelot, you don’t have to pick me up!” Callisto started protesting.
“I want to though.” He smiled at her.
The two men walked over to where Phaedra was on the ground, Lancelot cradling Callisto in his arms.

“Phaedra?” Orion said, lying beside her. “Phaedra talk to me.”
“Aren’t you getting cold?” Phaedra said, looking up at the shirtless Orion.
“No.” With that one word Orion scooped her up and Lancelot and Orion returned to the camp in silence.

“Oh dear. My dress.” Callisto said pointedly as Lancelot set her down in the tent that they had been in earlier.
Lancelot looked at her dress and nudged Orion.
Callisto was a sight. The beautiful dress was clinging to her body, showing every curve. Orion grinned.
“Aw you’re wet.” Callisto murmured looking at Lancelot’s chest. “Oh yes and nice body. I take it you work often.”
Lancelot didn’t utter a single word as Callisto walked over to him and hugged him.
“You are too.” Phaedra said, and walked over to Orion and kissed him.
Those two did not see Lancelot and Callisto move closer together. Slowly, ever so slowly they kissed.

“I’m cold.” Callisto said, hugging Lancelot even tighter to get warmer.
Lancelot said nothing but hugged her close to his body.
Phaedra looked over and smiled. Though both Phaedra and Callisto had had been born and bred in this country, they were used to facing the winds wearing more clothes. The clothes that they had on at the moment were not suitable – they were still wet from being outside.
Orion and Phaedra were huddled on the other side of Callisto, cuddling each other.
A wind had started furiously. The wind was now rushing around while the rain was dancing heavily on the tent tops. Even Callisto and Phaedra, who were natives to this country, were not expecting a storm like this.
Phaedra, Callisto, Orion and Lancelot were sheltering in Orion and Lancelot’s tent. All four of them were sitting on Lancelot’s makeshift bed.
“I wish I was wearing more appropriate clothes, I would go out and annoy the Saxons so much!” Phaedra grumbled.
“Phaedra. That’s for tomorrow.” Callisto grinned and lightly punched Phaedra.
“What? You want to argue over when we fight them? Huh? Do you want to take this outside bitch? Well?” Phaedra grinned.
“Maybe not outside….” Callisto stood up.
Phaedra joined her standing in front of the bed. She punched Callisto very lightly on the arm. Callisto retaliated by twisting one of her arms behind her back. Ever so slightly she moved the arm up and up. Orion and Lancelot, being onlookers, could not believe that Phaedra was not begging to be let go. Phaedra was just standing there, with a blank expression on her face, looking straight ahead of her.
Callisto suddenly let go of Phaedra’s arm. She sighed and walked over to the entrance of the tent. Her expression had clouded and she closed her eyes, breathing in deeply.
“What’s wrong Callisto?” Phaedra sat down silently between Orion and Lancelot.
Callisto breathed in slightly and didn’t move.
“Callisto?” Phaedra looked worriedly at her.
“Don’t you remember Phaedra? It was this day three years ago…” Callisto shuddered and breathed sharply.
“Three…?” Phaedra looked puzzled.
“Three years ago when the Saxons raided…when they killed all the men…when they kidnapped Europa and Penelope. When you and I went after them…when I was abducted…when…” Callisto stopped and stared out into the storm, tears streaming down her face like the rain pouring down outside.
Phaedra breathed in slightly and buried her face in her hands.
Orion and Lancelot looked from one person to the other, silently watching, while their minds were flying with thoughts.
“Phaedra what are you two talking about? What is ‘this’ day three years ago that you are talking about?” Orion turned to her frowning.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” Phaedra sighed.
“It’s nothing?!” Lancelot sputtered. “Callisto. Is. Crying. You. Are. Upset. And. That’s. Nothing?!”
Phaedra sighed. “It’s personal. For Callisto that is so if you want to know, ask Callisto. I have been bound to secrecy.”

‘Thank you Phaedra.’ Callisto thought as she looked out at the rain. ‘Do those memories have to be re-lived? All the brutality, all the stupidity, all the cruelty!’

Chapter 7

Orion and Lancelot exchanged glances.
They suddenly stood up along with Phaedra as Callisto walked backwards a few paces.
“What’s wrong Callisto?” Phaedra said. Callisto looked around at them, and ran through the tent flap. Phaedra cursed. “Come on!” she yelled at the two men.
All three people tried to focus their eyes properly as they fought the storm to stand upright. All of a sudden Callisto was beside them.
“Saxons!” she hissed.
Phaedra and Callisto looked at each other, and in the blink of an eye had knives in both hands. Orion and Lancelot drew their swords and looked around them.
“Move!” Callisto yelled over the wind to Lancelot. Lancelot looked at her trying to hear what she said, and she ran over to him and pushed him away from where he had been standing. Just in time. Had he stayed where he was he would have been dead. Impaled in the ground were two arrows that had been alight.
“How did you know?” Orion looked at her, mouth gaping.
“I just….sensed it.” Callisto said.
“By the way…what are you planning on doing with those knives?” Orion said still gaping.
“Watch and learn.” Callisto smiled, an evil smile.
Lancelot and Orion gulped and prepared to fight.
All of a sudden, Phaedra turned and threw a knife into the trees, seconds later, they heard the sound of a body hitting the ground. Callisto threw a knife to Phaedra while saying ‘I have a spare.”
Phaedra nodded and she and Callisto faced the forest.
“Aaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii” the war cry came up from the forest as a good 20 Saxons appeared.
“Cover me.” Callisto hissed as she walked towards the Saxons.
“Cover…what is she doing?” Orion and Lancelot looked between Phaedra and Callisto in amazement.
“Exactly what she said boys.” Phaedra grinned as she moved so she was standing in front of Orion and Lancelot.
“You’re covering us? A mere woman?” Orion sputtered indignantly.
“Yes! And us two mere WOMEN can do a lot more then you can. We cook, clean, tidy, bear children, teach AND fight which is more then any of you could.” Phaedra spun angrily and pressed one of her knives against Orion’s throat.
Orion spat on the ground angrily. “You? Fight? In your dreams!”
Phaedra rolled her eyes and turned around. “Get ready to fight.” She hissed at Lancelot as she steadied herself. Lancelot nodded and moved so he was beside her while Orion was left behind them.

Callisto smiled grimly as she walked forward. ‘Phaedra has them under control. Now for the Saxons!’ “I’m here boys.” She grinned menacingly at the Saxons who crowded in a semi circle around her.
“Will you look at that? The Romans brought their own fighting whores with them!” A ugly, big Saxon leered at her.
“Watch what you’re saying fatso! I’m no ones fighting machine. Neither am I anyone’s whore! I only sleep with men who I want to sleep with, not them forcing me into anything.” She spat at him. “Otherwise I kill them!”
“Feisty! Reckon boss will want this whore?” The Saxon said.
The Saxons roared with pleasure, Callisto’s answer was to throw one of her deadly knives into the heart of the Saxon. In another blink of an eye, she had pulled the knife out and hissed in a loud voice. “Who’s next?”
Very quickly she disposed of around five more Saxons when she suddenly felt herself being lifted off the ground, and felt cold hard metal being pressed against her neck.

Lancelot, Orion and Phaedra had killed around ten Saxons when they suddenly heard a roar coming from the rest of the live Saxons.
“Shit!” Phaedra said. Lancelot killed another Saxon and looked to where Phaedra was looking. One of the remaining Saxons had lifted Callisto off the ground and had a knife at her throat.
“If you want this bitch to live, drop your weapons! Now!” he yelled.
The three companions hesitated.
“I said now!” he yelled again, this time digging the knife ever so slightly, into Callisto’s neck. Callisto said nothing but a look of pain crossed her face.
Orion and Lancelot started to let go of their swords when “No!” Phaedra screamed.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her.
“We never surrender! Under any circumstances.” She spat as she threw a knife into the gut of another Saxon.
“You’re digging her grave.” The Saxon holding Callisto spat back at her.

“Now!” Europa murmured loudly.

Suddenly a cry came from the tree tops. The Saxons looked around confused, while Phaedra grinned and Callisto smiled slightly.
Two of the Saxons gave a yell as two figures jumped from the trees.
Meanwhile Callisto kicked upwards and knocked the face of her captor.
“Eat dirt!” she hissed as she plunged a dagger straight through his heart.
Callisto and Phaedra moved into action fighting the Saxons. A minute later there was not one Saxon alive.
“Good job I personally think!” Penelope as she stood up from the ground.
Europa and Phaedra agreed loudly with her.
“How can I ever thank you two?” Callisto said walking over to her friends and hugging them.
“That is enough.” Penelope smiled.
“Just as well we were coming to give you new dresses.” Europa grinned. “Looks like you need them!”
Phaedra whacked her over the head and all four Amazons started laughing.

“Orion.” Phaedra turned around and smiled. “Sorry about that, it’s just I didn’t want your beautiful body harmed by Saxons. Or yours Lancelot.” She said as an afterthought.
Orion blushed slightly.
“Are you alright my lady?” Lancelot said anxiously, holding his hand out to Callisto.
“I’ll be alright.” Callisto grimaced, touching her neck.
“My lady?!” Europa sniggered. Callisto glared at her, and Europa returned the glare with an innocent look.
“Here.” Lancelot picked Callisto up bridal style.
“Back to camp!” Orion announced, picked Phaedra up the same way, while Europa and Penelope went on either side of him and linked arms with him.

Chapter 8

“I can’t believe that the storm came and went like that. Overnight too basically.” Orion commented as Phaedra moved closer to him.
“Aye, but it was rainin’ earlier. It always doe’ jus’ before a storm lik’ that. Especially near th’ cliffs past th’ for’st.” Penelope said.
“Cliffs?” Lancelot glanced at Orion and then at Penelope.
“Aye, the cliffs. Why?” Europa said glancing quickly at Penelope and then back at Lancelot. Lancelot glanced at Orion who was busy viewing Phaedra’s body, Lancelot sighed and looked back at Europa.
“When we were coming to dock on the ships, we saw figures up on the cliffs. Strangely enough they looked like women.” Lancelot said.
“Oh really?’ Callisto said looking interested. “Could they have been the Amazons?”
“Amazons? Are you mad? They are mythical figures from long ago, living towards Greece. They cut off their left breast so they can draw a bow and I can assure you that those women up on the cliffs definitely had both.” Orion said suddenly, joining in the conversation.
“Pft! That’s an old wives tale. I mean, I believe in old wives tales but that is seriously a whole lot of nonsense!” Europa said angrily.
“And you’d know how?” Lancelot raised an eyebrow.
“I just do!” Europa said snidely.
“Pen! Europa! Don’t start fighting. Otherwise you’ll find yourself out there.” Callisto nodded outside.
“We were just going anyway. We’ll be waiting." Penelope said pointedly, standing up and giving a wide smile.
“Yes going. We’ll see you later.” Europa said smiling as she stood up and linked arms with Penelope.
“Bye.” Callisto and Phaedra chorused.
“Oh...goodbye!” Lancelot and Orion managed to say before looking back at Phaedra and Callisto.
Phaedra licked her lips as her two friends disappeared.
“I’m thirsty.” Callisto said winking at Phaedra. “No don’t get up Lancelot. I’m sure the men will show me where to find the things so I can have a drink. I’ll be back.” She smiled and disappeared out of the tent.
Orion smiled widely as she disappeared, but then it became smaller as he realized his best friend was still in the tent with them. Lancelot saw his look and rolled his eyes.
“Don’t mind me.” Lancelot said, standing up, walked over and started to polish one of his swords.
Phaedra bit her lip. “Lancelot.” She cooed. She stood up, smiled at Orion and walked over to Lancelot. “Don’t feel left out. That’s the last thing I want you to feel.”
Lancelot stiffened as he felt her hands weave their way under his arms so she was hugging him from the back.
“Put that down.” She growled softly, tapping the sword and the cloth he was holding. He kept holding it so she gently eased his hands open and moved the sword and cloth onto the nearest table. One of her hands slowly moved down his front, all the way to his thigh while the other hand snuck its way up to his neck then into his hair. “Relax.” She moaned ever so slightly. She bent her head down slightly and started kissing his back. She moved her way up so she was kissing his neck. Lancelot surprised even himself when he moaned ever so softly. Phaedra moved her whole body so then she was standing in front of Lancelot, she wound both arms around him and started kissing him.
“Aw…” she looked over at Orion who was standing behind the two of them, with puppy dog eyes. “Come here.” She motioned to him. Orion moved fairly quickly so that Phaedra was sandwiched between the two men. Lancelot started kissing her neck and became acquainted to her body with his hands. Phaedra and Orion started kissing and his hands acquainted himself to the front of her body.
Phaedra moaned. This truly was one of the first times that people had kissed her without being rough. Both men were excellent kissers and both of them kissed like they truly loved her. Whether they did or not Phaedra didn’t really mind. She hadn’t been kissed for almost three years.

“Thank you.” Callisto smiled as she handed the cup back.
“My pleasure.” Arturius smiled back at her. “By the way, are our commanders alright?”
“They’re perfectly fine.” Callisto said. “Oh yes and Lancelot asked for them to be left totally alone. Under no circumstances are they to be disturbed. Understood?”
“Yes, perfectly.” Arturius gave her a salute as she disappeared. “Disturbed eh?”

Lancelot was enjoying himself a lot. Phaedra was definitely enjoying the attentions of both Orion and Lancelot. She was moaning basically every second now, her heart was pounding and leaping. Lancelot suddenly jumped as he felt lips on his neck.
“Relax.” A soft voice murmured in his ear. He recognized the voice as Callisto’s. She wrapped her arms around him and continued to kiss him.
He broke away from Phaedra and turned around to face the other bewitching beauty.
Lancelot pushed her gently onto his bed and continued to kiss her.
Meanwhile, Orion was making up for Phaedra’s loss of Lancelot. He was kissing every part of her body that he could reach and Phaedra was enjoying it.
“Orion…” she shivered as he moved her dress so that one of his hands found its way up her leg.
“You want me to stop?” he whispered into her hair.
“No.” she whimpered, arching her stomach against his.

Callisto pulled Lancelot gently so he was right on top of her.
“I know we barely know each other but I think I love you.” She whispered in his ear.
Lancelot looked down at her. “I think I do too. And to seal a promise.” He leaned down and kissed her.
“Seal what promise?” she asked.
“That I will never leave you no matter what.” He said kissing her neck.
“Well are you part of the ‘raiding’ party or not?” she said looking at the mop of dark hair resting on her neck. “Oh lets not squabble.” She kissed his head. “Look at Phaedra and Orion!” She grinned slightly. Lancelot rested his head on her bosom and looked at them.
“Makes the perfect couple.” He smiled.
“Aye, that they do.” She smiled in amusement at her friend.

Phaedra and Orion suddenly became aware of people watching them. Orion slipped his hand out from under Phaedra’s dress and looked over her shoulder.
Phaedra looked too and her heart nearly melted.
Lancelot was resting on top of Callisto’s body and had his head on her bosom. Callisto’s hair was spread across one of the pillows and was smiling a small smile, a secret smile. A look which Phaedra had only seen on her friend three times before. All the times being when she had been pregnant.
“Would you like us to leave?” Lancelot purred.
“We’ll leave.” Orion smiled at him. Orion and Phaedra moved towards the entrance of the tent.
“Phaedra,” Callisto started. “Don’t do anything dangerous.” She smiled slightly as Phaedra glared at her and pulled Orion out of the tent. “Good luck!” she called. Her answer was the wind wailing in the trees.
“I don’t think she actually likes you.” Lancelot commented burying his face in Callisto’s neck.
Callisto laughed, but it quickly turned into slight moan.

“I can’t believe that they were watching us.” Phaedra was blushing furiously. She and Orion had disappeared into his tent which was on the opposite side of the fire that was outside Lancelot’s tent. Amazingly, they had managed to get there without anyone actually seeing them.
“It isn’t like they’d mind.” Orion laughed. “Lancelot’s pretty much like me when he gets going.”
“Is he indeed? Callisto is so lucky then!” Phaedra said.
“Yes indeed. Now let’s stop chatting. Time to have fun.” Orion growled, lifting Phaedra off the ground and carrying her over to his bed.

Chapter 9

For some reason, Callisto found that every time Lancelot touched her, her body seemed to tingle and it would feel like her skin was on fire. She arched against Lancelot’s hand as it moved down her back slowly.
Lancelot smiled. Callisto really was a bewitching person. He knew that she was loving every single second that was passing. He was enjoying every single second of it as well – he had never been with a woman like Callisto before. She really was a bewitching beauty who knew what she wanted and when she wanted it and he really did love her.
He fondled her hair with one hand as he kissed her neck. The other hand moved down her stomach, down onto her thigh and back up again.
“Lancelot…” She arched against his every touch.
“What?” He nipped the lower part of her neck gently.
In response she groaned and her breathing became faster.
“What?” He nipped her neck again. “I’ll keep doing this harder and harder until you give me an answer.”
“Just…don’t stop!” She moved her legs so she was trapping his legs under hers.
Lancelot grinned and rested his head just under her neck, his hands entwining themselves in her hair. “Do you know the number of times I have heard stories about these bewitching women in Briton when I was still in Rome?” he said softly.
“No…” Callisto sighed. “Tell me about the stories.”
“The stories…they are all about four women. The most beautiful women in all of history, and probably the most beautiful women that there will ever be, every man in Rome was forever jealous of those that were sent here to Briton, as it is told that the women lived here. The four women lived in four different castles – their own places to call home. One of them was a leader. She was the most beautiful of all women, and the most feisty, temperamental and bewitching one as well. She did not have a weapon that she preferred to use as she always had knives, at least one sword, and a bow and arrows. She was a seer of the future, and was also a healer. She was known as the Lady of the Night because she could always be counted upon to be seen at night. Another of the Ladies, was her own family. The Lady of the Storms. A red-headed beauty. She was known for seducing men and making storms start. Her preferred weapon was a sword and whenever there was a storm, men would see her figure on cliff tops, looking out over the endless ocean, her hair whipping around her face. Then there was the Lady of the Dawn. She supposedly had white blonde hair that went past her shoulders. Apart from the Lady of the Night, she was the most bewitching woman, and a temptress in her own right. Men adored her and would do anything to spend a night with her. She also was a healer, and could make anyone feel better by just being near them. The last woman was the Lady of the Depths, she was a brunette. She could raise anyone from the depths of despair, anger, or death. She could also lower people to those depths. She could and would seduce man after man and never bear a child. All the stories are based around these women.” Lancelot confirmed, hugging Callisto tightly against his body.
“Sounds interesting.” She murmured, closing the gap between them even more. “Tell me one of the stories.”
“Well…” Lancelot pondered. “There are many. There’s one, though I don’t really remember how it goes. About when the Lady of the Night was kidnapped by Saxons. She begged and begged to be let go, but they whipped her. And then they raped her. Over one hundred Saxons raped her in one night. It took a month for the other Ladies to find her. When they did she already had a full stomach and was locked up in a tower with a luscious bed, but not much else in the room. The Saxons tried to stop them from leaving claiming that ‘Our lady is bearing a child. She must stay and bear it.’ All four Ladies knew that any child that they bore, would be powerful. They fought their way through the Saxons. Unfortunately, as the Ladies were magical, the Lady of the Night, started having labour pains. They made their way quickly to a dark forest, and while the Lady of the Storms started a storm around the forest for the Saxons, the Lady of the Night started the actual labour. As soon as the Lady of the Storms returned, the other three Ladies put their energy into the Lady of the Night as her energy and will to live were fading. After a while, they knew that the Lady of the Night was going to die. Unless something drastic was done. They combined their energy and sent it directly to the heart of the Lady of the Night. She survived, but her child was never born – she just had labour pains for over a day which meant that they could not move from the forest.” Lancelot finished, burying his head in Callisto’s neck.
Callisto shivered but smiled as Lancelot looked at her anxiously.
“Are you alright?” he asked, looking at her with concern across his face.
“I’m perfectly fine.” She laughed. ‘I wish I could be. If only you knew.’ She pulled Lancelot’s face closer to her and kissed him. “I think I love you Lancelot, commander of the Romans.”
“You do?” he whispered.
“Yes. Do you?” She whispered, and kissed him on the lips.
“I wonder…” he said softly. Lancelot dipped his head gracefully and kissed Callisto on the lips. He moved slowly down to the nape of her neck.
Callisto smiled slightly, and ran her fingers through his hair.
Lancelot’s hands trailed down her sides, down to her thighs and back up again. He lifted her slightly off the bed and moved his hands underneath her back.
“Lancelot…” She moaned.
In answer Lancelot nipped her neck gently, and then returned to making a trail of kisses down to her belly button.

Chapter 10

Phaedra moved her head further towards Orion’s neck as she slept. Orion moved so he could look at her. Phaedra felt movement and opened her eyes slightly, squinting away from the opening of the tent.
“Orion?” She said softly.
“I’m right here.” He murmured close to her ear.
Phaedra moved around so that she could see him. “I’ve known this for a while Orion, Commander of the Roman Invasion, I love you and will never let you go.”
Orion’s heart dropped. “I love you too. I never want to let you go.” He pulled the fur blanket further up his chest. “You feel cold.”
Phaedra nodded and moved as close as possible to Orion. She let one arm drop over his side and she put her head on his upper chest. “I wonder about Lancelot and Callisto. I really do wonder if Callisto is sleeping with him to spite someone. I saw a wild look in her eyes earlier, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that is what happens.”
“Lancelot is a real womanizer.” Orion commented. “Though both I and his friends think that he should get himself a wife. Could be good for him.”
“And you aren’t?” Phaedra said, hugging Orion closer to her.
“Aren’t what?” Orion looked at her puzzled.
“A womanizer. Silly. But I love you anyway.” Phaedra smiled softly.
Orion stared at her. “Womanizer?! Me? Let me demonstrate how I could be!” he rolled on top of Phaedra and glared down at her.
Phaedra laughed and kissed the top of his head, Orion was kissing her skin all the way down to her belly button. She shivered.
“Orion…” She looked down at the fur blanket that was moving.

Chapter 11

As the sun struck its first rays over the horizon several hundred men looked and smiled. In two tents however, that was not the case.
“Sir it’s time to…” Arturius walked into Orion’s tent and grinned.
Orion was lying on his back, his chest exposed to the rays of the sun, wit h one of Phaedra’s hands thrown over his chest. Her other hand was clasping Orion’s left hand, while his right was under Phaedra’s body. They looked the perfect couple.
“I’ll leave them be a little longer.” Arturius grinned again and walked out of the tent quietly.
Instead of waking one commander, he walked to the other commander’s tent.
“Sir. Orion was…ahem…busy when I tried to wake him and…” Arturius stopped for the second time in the middle of a sentence. ‘They definitely have an effect on the fairer sex.’ Arturius thought as he studied the scene.
Lancelot was on the bed, while Callisto completed the portrait of ‘happy couple’ by lying on top of him face down. Lancelot’s hands were thrown over her waist. Callisto’s left hand was tangled in Lancelot’s hair, while her right hand was not visible. ‘Under the covers.’ Arturius thought smiling.
As he moved slightly, Callisto’s eyes moved under her eyelids and she moaned softly.
“Is it already…oh…good morning…Arturius wasn’t it?” She said looking up.
“That is right my lady. Good morning to you.” He said bowing slightly.
“Please, call me Callisto.” Callisto smiled warmly. Realizing she was lying on someone she looked down and saw Lancelot. “Lancelot.” She purred, close to his ear. “Wake up my darling.”
Lancelot stretched without moving his hands, and looked up. “This is a pleasant sight. What I would give to see this sight in front of me every morning!”
Callisto grinned and then nudged him, looking towards the young soldier, standing looking unashamed, just inside the tent opening.
“Oh yes. Good morning Arturius. I thank you for waking me. Pray tell me. Is Orion up?” He smiled at the soldier.
“Nay sir. He is asleep with the other lady you call Phaedra beside him.” Arturius said looking into Lancelot’s eyes.
“This is something that I cannot miss.” Callisto giggled slightly. She reached out and took her dress from down beside the bed and drew it under the blanket. She then somehow got it on her and stood up. “Coming my knight in leather?” She looked down at Lancelot.
“Your every wish is my command!” Lancelot said, as Callisto passed him his leather boots and pants.
A few seconds later saw Arturius fully dressed, Callisto with a mere rag of a dress, and Lancelot with no top, dressed in black leather emerge from the tent.
“Come on.” Callisto said giggling, took hold of both their hands, and she pulled them across to the tent opposite.

“Aw!” Callisto put her head on Lancelot’s shoulder. “Isn’t that sweet?”
Arturius grinned and nodded while Lancelot blushed and quickly agreed with Callisto. Phaedra and Orion had not moved from their positions that they had been in when Arturius had come to wake his commander.
Arturius, Lancelot and Callisto looked at each other, but suddenly looked at the bed when they heard a scream.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing here?” Phaedra said glaring at the three people in front of her.
“Nothing, nothing…well hang on. Enjoying the view that’s all.” Callisto grinned.
Phaedra glared and threw her pillow at her cousin.
“Wow! Aren’t I so special?! A pillow!” Callisto caught it and gave Phaedra a curtsey.
All three men – by this stage Orion had woken up – started laughing.
“Come on.” Lancelot said. “They obviously want to be left alone.” He emphasized the word ‘alone’, put one arm around Callisto’s waist and nodded to the tent opening at Arturius.
As the three left Callisto could not help herself, and called back to Phaedra. “You look really embarrassed!”
The minute the three people had got out of throwing range from the tent they burst into laughter.
“You’re horrible my lady!” Arturius laughed.
“Thanks!” Callisto grinned widely.
Lancelot just grinned as this exchange took place.
“Arturius…could you check on Callisto’s horse. And Phaedra’s?” Lancelot said kindly.
“Aye m’lord. Oh and m’lord?” Arturius paused. “Would you like another wake up call in an hour?”
Lancelot and Callisto burst out laughing.

Phaedra stretched and looked at Orion.
“We had better get up.” She yawned.
“Damn!” Orion said softly, closing the gap between him and his lover and kissing her softly on the lips.
Phaedra pulled Orion over her body and kept kissing him. “Now.” She murmured.
Orion closed his eyes, groaned and rolled off Phaedra.
As Orion sat on the edge of the bed Phaedra slipped her arms around him.
“We still have some time.” She whispered.
Orion turned with a grin, kissed her and they fell on the bed together.

Callisto prodded Lancelot.
“I wonder if the lovebirds are up yet?” she said dryly.
“Doubt it.” Lancelot kissed her.
“Let’s make sure.” Callisto grinned.
They upended the bed, put clothes on quickly and ran for the entrance.

Laughing, Callisto and Lancelot found their way out his tent.
“Good morning sir!” Came the voices from a dozen soldiers who were seated around the glowing embers of the fire.
“It’s a very good morning my men!” Lancelot smiled, keeping one arm around Callisto’s waist.
Every single one of the soldiers sniggered as Callisto started blushing.
“Have you seen your other commander or my cousin yet?” Callisto asked, trying to look serious but failing miserably.
“No m’lady.” Came the reply back.
Callisto grinned. “We beat them!”
“It isn’t that hard to beat Orion when he has a woman, especially in his bed.” Lancelot laughed, kissing Callisto on the cheek.
“Will we be moving the camp today sir?” Arturius asked, stretching.
“I don’t think so. We might just stay here for a day or two. No point in rushing things is there?” Lancelot replied, sitting down next to Arturius with Callisto at his side.
“There isn’t sir.” Arturius grinned at Callisto who grinned back.

“Good afternoon!” the chorus of fourteen voices came as Phaedra and Orion stumbled out of Orion’s tent.
“It’s afternoon?” Phaedra moaned, clutching her head.
“Absolutely you two lovebirds! Lunch?” Callisto grinned and nodded her head towards the fire.
Phaedra glared daggers at her cousin and sat down on Orion, who had sat down next to Arturius.
“I thought we could stay another day here. No point moving at the moment.” Lancelot said pleasantly, trying to cover a smirk.
Orion batted Lancelot with one arm while he kept the other around Phaedra’s waist.
“Be careful Lancelot! He could hurt you severely!” Callisto pulled Lancelot towards her and hugged him close.
Everyone, save Orion and Phaedra burst out laughing.
They just grinned and hugged each other.

“Callisto…no point in going anywhere for a while is there?” Phaedra said lazily, looking over at her cousin who was lying on top of Lancelot and talking.
“No point whatsoever!” Callisto grinned at Phaedra who was lying on top of Orion.
“We’ll just stay right here then.”
“Absolutely!”
Phaedra and Callisto curled up on their lover’s bodies and closed their eyes.
“Let us know if something exciting happens.” Phaedra yawned.
“Like the Saxons attacking or invading or raiding or something.” Callisto buried her face in Lancelot’s shoulder….

A few minutes later saw two women, fast asleep on top of two men, who were lying around a metre apart in the shade talking quietly.

Chapter 12

“Saddle our horses!” Europa yelled loudly.
Penelope and Europa flew down a flight of stairs to the courtyard, jumped onto their horse’s back and galloped through the gate.
In the courtyard, Verona turned to her companions and said. “Let’s hope to God that they reach our leaders in time.”
From up in the castle a shriek echoed, Verona turned worriedly. “That’s Lavinda…” and hurried off.

Europa and Penelope heard the shriek and looked at one another. Simultaneously, they urged their horses to go at break-neck speed over the hills.

Ten miles away a camp full of soldiers and two female worriers were having great fun.
Beer and food all round. Dancing and feasting. Right at the centre of all the fun were Orion and Phaedra, dancing close, listening to the soldiers laughing and carrying on like children. Lancelot and Callisto sat together, quietly murmuring to each other, a great comparison to the rowdy soldiers.
Callisto shivered and looked to the sky.
“What’s wrong?” Lancelot said softly.
“I have a feeling something is not right. And that something terrible is about to happen.” Callisto replied.
Lancelot hugged the now cold and shivering Callisto. He looked at her anxiously. “Hush now. Everything will be alright.”
“I hope. I just can’t shake this feeling!” Callisto said softly.
“Sir!” A soldier ran up behind Lancelot.
“Aye…what is it?” Lancelot said half turning around to look at the man.
“Two horses sir. With riders….they appear to be women sir!” The soldier said, almost nervously.
“Thank you.” Lancelot said. “No, no one worry about them.” He turned towards Callisto as he said those words – she had sat bolt upright, her eyes wide with alarm.
“It can’t be…” she whispered, her face paling to liken that of a ghost.
“What?” Lancelot started.
Callisto stood up and almost ran towards Phaedra and Orion.
“Phaedra!” She called.
Phaedra looked towards her cousin. “What…” She never finished the sentence.
At that moment, two horses burst into the clearing. Soldiers looked on in awe as the two riders catapulted gracefully off their mounts so they were standing in front of the two women.
“Callisto…Phaedra…it’s Lavinda. She’s started early. Verona’s with her but we need you.” The blonde-haired woman said.
Lancelot and Orion gasped in recognition. It was Penelope and Europa.
“Oh god.” Phaedra mouthed staring at Penelope who had spoken.
“We have to leave. Now.” Callisto said, raking a hand through her hai