Behind Closed Eyes

Chapter Three

Galahad grabbed a knife off of the table next to him then threw it at the target. It hit directly in the middle. Galahad smiled and stepped back a little, feeling slightly proud and slightly drunk.
Dink.
He furrowed his eyebrows as another knife hit and stuck into the back of the knife he threw. Galahad turned to his left and saw Tristan.
Tristan smiled and raised an apple up to his lips and bit it.
Galahad looked at Tristan slightly longer than necessary. He couldn't tell he was looking too long since he was slightly drunk and his brain was cloudy.
"Tristan," Gawain looked over at the other knight. "How do you do that?"
Tristan moved the apple from his mouth then pointed at the target. "I aim for the middle."
After Gawain looked away Tristan looked over at Galahad and smirked at him. Galahad felt his face get hot but he couldn't tell if it was from his drink or from Tristan.
Tristan watched Galahad for a while longer before turning, patting him on the back then walking away.

"Sing!" Galahad urged Vanora along with the other knights.
Eventually everyone was yelling at her to sing.
Vanora stood, holding her baby in her arms.
"Land of bear and land of eagle.
Land that gave us birth and blessing.
Land that called us ever homewards.
We will go home across the mountains."
Galahad smiled and closed his eyes, listening to the song. He was finally a free man. He got to go home.
"Arthur!" Galahad heard someone yell. He opened his eyes and saw Arthur.
"Arthur!" He walked over to him. "Arthur! You're not completely Roman yet, right?
"Rus!" Bors yelled and hit his chest with his fist.
Galahad giggled drunkenly and stood by his commander.
"Knights," Arthur began. "Brother in arms... Your courage has been tested beyond all limits."
Galahad tilted his head back, filling his mouth with as much drink as he could.
"Drink." Bors said.
Galahad swallowed his drink before it sprayed out of his mouth from him laughing.
"But I must ask you now for one more further trial." Arthur looked at his knights. "We must leave on a final mission for Rome before our freedom is granted."
Galahad watched Arthur. He couldn't tell if he was joking or not, so he laughed. He didn't want to believe him.
"Above the wall, far in the north, there is a Roman family in need of a rescue."
Galahad's smile slowly faded from his face as he realized Arthur wasn't joking.
"They are trapped by Saxons. Our orders are secure their safety."
"Let the Roman's take care of their own." Bors said, angrily.
"Above the wall is Woad territory." Gawain stated.
"Our duty to Rome," Galahad's words slightly slurred together. "If it ever was a duty, is done. Our pact with Rome is done."
"Every knight here has laid his life on the line for you." Bors pointed at Arthur. "For you. And instead of freedom you want more blood? Our blood? You think more of Roman blood than you do of ours?"
"Bors!" Arthur yelled back. "These are our orders. When we return your freedom will be waiting for you. A freedom we can embrace with honor."
"I am a free man!" Bors yelled. "I get to choose my own fate!"
"Yeah, yeah," Galahad was slightly surprised hearing Tristan speak. "We are all going to die some day. If it's the death of a Saxon hand that frightens you," Tristan kept his knife close to his mouth. "Stay."
Galahad turned towards Tristan. How could he not care that they've been lied to? That they're freedom was taken away from them again? "Listen, if you're so eager to die, then you can die right now!"
"Enough." Lancelot stood in between Galahad and Tristan, holding his hand up to Galahad. "Enough!"
"I've got something to live for!" Galahad turned towards Arthur again, still furious.
What did he have to live for? His family? The knights?
"The Roman's have broken their word. We have the word of Arthur. That is good enough. I'll prepare." Dag turned around and began walking away. "Bors? Are you coming?"
"Of course I'm coming!" Bors yelled, still angry. "I can't let you go on your own! You'll all get killed!"
Everyone except Galahad, Lancelot, and Gawain walked away from Arthur.
"I'm just saying what you're all thinking!" Bors yelled one last time then left. Galahad heard him mumble something but couldn't tell what he said.
"And you, Gawain?" Arthur asked, since Gawain hasn't really said anything.
"I'm with you." Gawain looked at Galahad. "Galahad as well."
Galahad looked at Gawain and watched him turn and leave. Galahad laughed even though he was upset. He felt like he just risked his life this whole time for nothing.
Galahad grinned then poured the rest of his drink on to the ground, then smashing the pot next. The grin left his face then he turned away from Arthur and walked away, passing Gawain.