Behind Closed Eyes

Chapter Two

"Why were you watching?"
He turned his head and saw Tristan riding his horse next to him. He didn't know how long he was there, he was too focused on the land before them.
It took him a moment to respond. "I wanted to make sure you were fine."
Tristan turned his head to look at the fields in front of him. "Why not the others?"
Why not the others? Why Tristan? What has Tristan ever done to make him want to be better than him?
He turned his head to glance over at him. He didn't know how to respond so he didn't respond at all.

All the Knights sat on their horses on top of a hill, looking at all of the grassy land in front of them.
"Now that we're free men," Bors began to speak. "I'm going to drink till I can't piss straight."
He and Tristan both turned their heads to look at Bors.
"You do that every night." Gawain turned away from Bors.
"I never could piss straight. Too much of myself to handle... Down there."
He couldn't help but roll his eyes when Bor said that.
"Well, it's a problem... No really it's a problem. It's a problem."
He already knew what he was going to say, so he said it along with him.
"It's like a baby's arm holding an apple."
Everyone chuckled for a moment.
He turned his head to look at Tristan. Tristan didn't seem amused.

"I don't like him, that Roman." He rode his horse next to Bors and Gawain. "If he's here to discharge us, why doesn't he just give us our papers?"
"Is this your happy face?" Gawain turned to look at him.
He turned his head away from him but couldn't help but smile.
Gawain continued, "Galahad, do you still not know the Romans? They won't scratch their asses without holding a ceremony."
Galahad. His name was Galahad.
He heard more footsteps next to him so he turned his head. It was Tristan.
Galahad could feel his face and neck start to heat up with embarrassment from earlier. He knew why he was watching.
"Why don't you just kill him, and discharge yourself after?" Bors asked him.
Galahad turned his head to look over at Bors and Gawain. "I don't kill for pleasure." He then turned his head to glance at Tristan then at the road ahead. "Unlike some."
Tristan noticed when Galahad glanced at him. He looked over at Galahad for a little then turned his head to look forward. "Well you should try it someday. You might get the taste for it."
"It's a part of you." Bors said. "It's in your blood."
Galahad shook his head. "No, no, no." He actually hated causing so many people pain, but he had to do it. "As of tomorrow, this is all just a bad memory."
Galahad noticed Tristan riding ahead of Bors and Gawain, so he joined him. They didn't speak, nor talk to each other.
"It's different for Galahad." Galahad heard Gawain say. "I've been in this life longer than the other. So much for home. It's not so clear in my memory."
Gawain did have a point. What's the point of going home if most of what he knows is this life?

"His Eminence, Bishop Naius Germanus."
Everyone stood at the table and quieted.
"I was given to understand there would be more of you." Bishop looked around at the men at the round table, confused.
"There were." Arthur looked around the table as well. "We've been fighting here for fifteen years, Bishop."
"Oh, of course." Bishop grabbed a cup and walked around the table, looking at a few of the men. "Arthur and his knights have served with courage to maintain the honor of Rome's empire on this last outpost of our glory." He quit walking and stood, continuing to look at the knights. "Rome is most indebted to you noble knights. To your final days as servants to the empire."
A man handed Galahad and the others cups as well.
"Day. Not days." Lancelot corrected him.
Bishop smiled and motioned for everyone to sit down.
Galahad glanced over to Tristan who was already seated.
"The Pope's taken personal interest in you. He inquires after each of you, and is curious to know if your knights have converted to the word of Our Savior or-?" Germanus was cut off by Arthur, who was sitting next to him at the table.
"They retain the religion of their forefathers. I have never questioned that."
Bishop sighed, slightly disappointed and looked at the wall. "Of course, of course. They are pagans. Hm?"
Galahad sat up straight and dragged his hands across the wood that made the table.
"For our part," Bishop breathed. "The Church has deemed such beliefs innocence, but you, Arthur," he turned to look at Arthur. "Your path to God is through Pelagius? I saw his image in your room."
"He took my father's place for me. His teachings on free will and equality have been a great influence. I look forward to our reunion in Rome."
"Ah." Germanus looked away from Arthur again. "Rome awaits your arrival with great anticipation." He looked back at Arthur and smiled. "You are a hero. In Rome, you will live out your days in honor and wealth."
Everyone looked around at each other. Galahad tried to avoid eye contact with Tristan, which was easy considering he wasn't really looking at anyone.
Bishop sighed. "Alas... Alas, we are all but players in an ever-changing world. Barbarians from every corner are almost at Rome's door."
Horton placed a box next to Germanus.
"Because of this, Rome," Bishop reached to grab the box but stopped for only a second. "And the Holy Father, have decided to remove ourselves from indefensible outposts, such as Britain."
Everyone stood up as Bishop stood as well.
"What will become of Britain is not our concern anymore. I supposed the Saxons will claim it soon."
"Saxons?" Arthur asked.
"Yes," Bishop rested his hand on top of the box. "In the north a massive Saxon incursion has begun."
"The Saxon only claim what they kill." Lancelot looked at Germanus.
"And only kill everything." Gawain added.
Galahad pressed his palms into the table and slowly clenched his hands into a fist. All of this? What he and the others did was for nothing. "So you would just leave the land to the Woads? And I risked my life for nothing?"
"Hm." Bishop opened the box and revealed the discharge papers. "Gentlemen, your discharge papers with safe conduct throughout the Roman Empire."
Galahad could feel his heart begin to beat slightly faster. He was finally a free man.
"But first," Bishop closed the box and set it back down.
What is he waiting for?
"I must have a word with your commander. In private." Bishop sat back down.
"We have no secrets." Arthur stated.
Bishop looked around the table with an annoyed look.
"Come," Lancelot looked at the other knights. "Let's leave Roman business to Romans." Lancelot took a final sip of his drink.
Galahad stared at Germanus. He was annoyed with him. Why couldn't he just give him and the others their discharge papers yet? He looked back over at Tristan who was looking at the cup for a moment then took it with him.
"Let it go, Bors." Galahad heard Dagonet say.
He looked down at his cup then set it on the table and followed the others out.