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April 2008
Topic Started: Nov 5 2009, 10:37 PM (3,975 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:12 pm
Bors and Vanora


They had said their peace, and Bors had gotten proper help for
his leg, whic, to him, was not feeling the best and would take
time to heal, but now that things were done and the others had
departed, Vanora turned to walk over to where Adian was sleep.
Bors followed her, and stopped to look down at the young man
in the bed. He was wearing woad clothes, and not the type that
Bors and Vanora had seen him in other times. The knight was
dying to ask him what had happened, but it was best to keep
the young man asleep while his shoulder was healing. "Come,
Vanora. The children need to be tucked in for the night, and
you need to see to the tavern," Bors kissed her lightly and
led her out of the infirmary and into the cold of the early
night.

It was snowing.

Bors and Vanora walked through the courtyard that was being
cleaned of dead bodies and such, and walked her to the tavern.
Then, dropping her off, he moved on to the small house they
shared with their small brood. Finally, Bors was able to spend
time with the children, getting them all cleaned and dressed
for bed. There was no need for them to be afraid for the night
as he was home now. Once they were in bed, Bors moved over to
the hearth and sat down to think of things that puzzled him:

Where was Javier and where was Ione?

He had not seen her since she had been rescued from the
wreckage the last time the fort was attacked. As for Javier,
Bors would not have concerned himself with the Southerner but
that he had asked that he and Vanora be placed as 'guardians'
to the young man after he had gotten in trouble with a Roman
sometime back...so Bors felt responsible for what happened to
the man. The weaver's shop was just a few houses down from
where they lived, so he left Gilly in charge, and went to the
shop....

...He arrived in no time, but what he saw, made his heart
sink: The door had been broken and a window. Cautiously, Bors
stepped inside and looked about at the mess. The loom was
untouched which was good, but the blankets and cloaks Ione
made with skill and sold were lying about as though a struggle
had taken place. Off the sales floor, Bors saw the small room
door opened and walked over to investigate. There were two
dead woads just inside the door, but no sign of Ione.

Bloody hells! What happened here? And where is Ione, and had
the woads taken off with Javier and killed him? Is she
alright? The shop as a whole had sustained a large amount of
damage....

Bors walked out of the shop and back to the small house not
wanting to leave the children alone, and he sat at the hearth
waiting for Vanora to return....
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golden_trillium

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Author: golden_trillium
Daet: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:50 pm
Linnette and Linnesse


Derfel
 
“What all…what should I be doin’ for her? Besides
gettin’ her to drink? And I’d feel a mite better if you
could stay? I should clean meself up a bit and I’d hate
for Linnesse to be unattended even for a second.”


“Hmmm…I suppose so,” Linnette allowed, giving Derfel a look up
and down his tunic- which, along with the rest of him, was
admittedly filthy. She gave him a small grimace that might
have passed for a sad half-smile, then awkwardly stepped
around him, making for one of the simple wooden chairs that
stood at the table. He had a point about Linnesse not being
left alone, and as long as he was out of the room, she would
sit with her sister- but being in such close quarters with
Derfel, even after only a few minutes, was becoming
increasingly uncomfortable. It wasn’t even so much
him…or maybe it was. It was hard to say whether she
would have reacted the same way to any man of her acquaintance
right now, but right now, Linnette was positively squirming
inside. The room they were in was, except for its orientation,
virtually identical to the one she shared- or used to share-
with Gedeon, the atmosphere of intimacy just the same, but it
was all wrong- all so horribly wrong. This wasn’t Gedeon here
with her- it was Derfel, whom she should look on as a brother,
but whom she had to admit she did not, and the obvious
tenderness between him and Linnesse, even with her asleep, was
enough to make anyone feel superfluous, like an intruder.
Linnette didn’t belong here- she belonged with Gedeon, but
that would never be possible again. She was an outsider here.

“I can wait with her until you come back…” Linnette occupied
herself with pushing the chair over to Linnesse’s bedside,
letting it go in front of her, clearing the way and allowing
her to keep a bodily distance between her and Derfel, “and
then I do want to…to go light a candle for Gedeon.” That was
the first time she had said her husband’s name since she had
learned of his death, and the name came out as a little sob,
which she quickly swallowed as she lowered her eyes and became
very occupied in adjusting the chair’s final position next to
the bed. Tears stood out in her eyes again- tears she did not
want Derfel to notice, though of course he would anyway.

“I should do that,” she repeated softly, almost to herself,
reaching over and stroking Linnesse’s hand lightly as she sat
down. Her sister was already asleep, her breathing once more
slow and even and not even a flicker of her eyes giving any
wakefulness away.











Merlin

Guinevere
 
"The important thing is that we get Neeria and Eala back
safely."


“Well spoken, daughter,” Merlin affirmed in a solid, confident
voice. He turned his head towards Juna and tossed her an
encouraging smile, then detached his hand from hers and
reached out to give Guinevere a proud, affectionate squeeze on
the shoulder.

“That is the most important consideration- and I am confident
we will all remain united in this goal. Speaking of which…” he
looked around the camp, then tilted his head to gaze up at the
sky. It was darkening fast.

“It’s nearly time for Ash to go. I’ll go see that he is ready.
Guinevere, if your preparations are complete, you are welcome
to help me escort him to the road.” The other Woads would stay
well-hidden, of course, but someone had to go to the treeline,
to watch and confirm that Ash got in safely; Merlin intended
to do this himself, see it with his own eyes.

“And Juna…I’ll see you very shortly.” He flashed her a smile
which was almost boyish in quality, though fleeting. He would
come right back to her after he saw Ash to the road, he
thought- and then perhaps they could get some rest. They would
have a long journey in the morning.
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golden_trillium

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Author: linnet
Date: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:32 pm

Gawain


Weariness was overtaking Gawain’s body and mind like a heavy
shroud. Brianna was gone, and he was left with nothing but
questions he might never learn the answers to. He felt a
desperate need to see her, to have her explain to his face why
she would rather live without him, raise their child without
him. If she loved him as she’d claimed, and acted, then why
would she choose to leave? Even if he couldn’t convince her to
return, at least he could ask her to tell him how he had
failed. He needed to see her one more time. His only link to
Brianna now was her sister, and he hoped Fiona would know how
he could let his runaway lover know he had to talk to her.

Fiona
 
"I'm not sure. But, I can try to figure out a way, if
it'll help."


He looked at the young woman’s serious expression of
willingness to help. He wanted to smile in appreciation, but
he found it impossible in his nearly dazed state. “I don’t
want you to put yourself in any danger, Fiona. But if you do
think of a way to get a message to her, let me know.” The
troubled knight looked around the area where he and Fiona
stood. Everyone else had left. He experienced a sudden sense
of isolation and lack of purpose, and the fact that these were
such unaccustomed feelings only added to his worries. He
wasn’t sure what to do or where to go. It had started to grow
dark, and the cold was changing the light rain to flakes of
snow. He decided he might as well go to his room. He wasn’t
ready to face the infirmary yet. He had the tiny hope that
Brianna had found someone to dictate a note to, which he would
find in the room they had shared. He’d get someone to read it
for him, someone who didn’t know him.

Gawain turned his eyes toward Fiona again. She had patiently
stayed with him and tried to be helpful. Now it was getting
dark and she had to be cold. Seeing her, forced the fair
knight to step out of his feeling of aimlessness. He welcomed
the chance to do something useful. “Let me walk you to
wherever you should be now instead of standing here in the
cold with me,” he said to her, this time managing a slight but
sad smile. “This place can get pretty dangerous after dark.”
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golden_trillium

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Author: lady ione
Date: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:52 pm

Brendyn


After departing from the elderly man, Brendyn pulled the cloak
further about his cold body. He shivered a bit and yawned. He
did not want to seem weak, but he'd not slept well in some
time, and his body ached from his injuries. The street was
clearing as men and women went home for the night..or wherever
they went. Brendyn turned the corner and saw the ramparts up
ahead....Perhaps Malcus and Titrus were there. Slowly he made
his way toward the wall. The second watch had taken their
places, and Brendyn marveled at how disciplined the troops
were here. Arthur and Malcus and the rest must be great to
have troops so organized and well trained.

He drew nearer to the wall wishing for food, drink and then
sleep....plus talking and getting to know the men he'd be
serving....
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golden_trillium

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Author: Darya
Date: Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:00 am
Darya & Neeve


Darya’s dark gaze shifted from the strange healer to Lancelot
and back. Why had the knight sent for this particular person?
Frowning slightly to herself, the dark Sarmatian remained
silent and just listened to what the First Knight would say in
reply to the healer’s question, sorting the things the page
boy had brought on the table as she did so…

Lancelot
 
"The commander took a poke to the side from a nasty
Saxon blade… I've cleaned and patched it as best I
could, but as I said plenty of times before, I am no
medicus."


While Neeve listened to Lancelot’s words with her typical
calm, almost stoic, face expression, Darya almost dropped the
small bowl with water she had used to tend to Arthur earlier.
How on earth had a Saxon managed to get THAT close to the
Roman? Close enough to stab him?! The Sarmatian’s hands tensed
about the bowl and her dark gaze lingered questioningly on
Lancelot. The First Knight prolly was the only person who
could answer this question…and better yet: explain to her why
he had not anticipated this from happening…

Lancelot
 
"He's got a fever as well, and stumbled earlier. Neeve.
Do what you can. Please."


Neeve arched an eyebrow at Lancelot when the Sarmatian grabbed
her arm and lifted her chin slightly. She did not like the
details of the knight’s report at all. The fact that
Arthur…Arthur…had stumbled was the worst news she had heard in
years. “I have saved your soul from being sent to the Gods
several times, Lancelot…I will do the same with his…”, the
raven-haired then stated and let her crystal-blue gaze lock
with his dark one until he released her arm again. Only then
she assessed the knight himself for a moment…noticing, that
he, too, was injured and not well at all. “And the way I see
it, I will have to do what I can for you as well, knight…”,
she added and gestured towards his bloodied arm, “...sit down
somewhere and get that cleaned…perhaps the lady can assist
you…” A corner of her mouth twitched slightly. “Unless of
course you prefer to be sent to the infirmary…” Then Neeve sat
down at the edge of Arthur’s bed and carefully examined the
Roman…a frown creasing her brow as she did so… “I just cannot
leave you alone, Artorius Castus, can I?”, she murmured
quietly and checked on the patch up work Lancelot had
mentioned before…

Darya’s mouth had dropped open when that Neeve mentioned
something about her assisting Lancelot. Not that she would not
care for her fellow Sarmatian, but right now, her major
concern was Arthur. The man who was her lover. The man who
still had no idea that… The dark-haired closed her mouth again
and pressed her lips into a thin line while briefly touching
her belly with one hand. Gods, help me…, she thought and then
watched the healer again. “Are you sure you don’t need someone
to assist you…?”, the female Sarmatian said…but fell silent
the moment the healer’s piercing gaze hit her. That look was
answer enough alright. Darya grimaced slightly and then
motioned for Lancelot to come over and sit on the chair next
to the table that stood by Arthur’s bed. “I’m as much a
medicus as he is…”, she muttered under her breath, but poured
some water into a mug to offer it to Lancelot once he – if he
– had done what that Neeve had asked of him…and got the cloth
ready to do what she could for her kinsman…

…her dark eyes, however, once more lingered on Arthur again.
Don’t leave me…don’t leave me alone…please…, she pleaded
silently as if the Roman in his feverish state could hear her
thoughts…
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golden_trillium

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Author: linnet
Date: Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:04 pm
Juna


Guinevere
 
"The important thing is that we get Neeria and Eala back
safely."


Merlin
 
“Well spoken, daughter. That is the most important
consideration- and I am confident we will all remain
united in this goal.”


That was over, Juna inwardly sighed in relief, while outwardly
giving the young woman a slight nod of agreement. It had never
been easy for Juna to admit she was wrong. But she knew that
from Guinevere’s perspective, her tantrum had clearly been
wrong. So the healer swallowed her pride in hopes of putting
the incident behind them. She would try to remember to avoid
setting torches to bridges unless she was sure there was
nothing important to go back for on the other side.

Merlin
 
“It’s nearly time for Ash to go. I’ll go see that he is
ready. Guinevere, if your preparations are complete, you
are welcome to help me escort him to the road. And
Juna…I’ll see you very shortly.”


Juna couldn’t help but return the man’s infectious smile.
“Stay safe – both of you,” she said. For once she
wholeheartedly believed in their mission, one of rescue rather
than revenge. But any words to add letting them know, fell
lame as soon as she tried to think of some. So she turned back
to her shelter to gather her supplies again, feeling more need
to busy herself than to watch the two go. It was becoming
dark. She would head back to the injured, working by
firelight. She would also watch Lourdes as promised so that
there could be no chance of the priestess reaching the fort
before Ash and Guinevere.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: SarmatianKnight
Date: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:32 pm
Lucius


It looked like that at least the first part of what he had to
say was accepted by the Captain when he nodded. Good. But when
he continued the reaction of Barbattus let Lucius regret that
he had started to feel more secure. Immediatly. The man's
smile vanished and the look he received in return as a first
answer was enough to make him wish for a hole he could drawl
into and hide. The soldier swallowed roughly but now it was
too late to stop because he had passed the point of no return
and he had to say what was keeing his mind busy because it was
indeed important for Lucius.

When he had spoken about the female Woad Lucius recognised
Titrus' reaction from the corners of his eyes and wondered how
bad it could get with Barbattus after all he said.

Barbattus
 
"I'm assuming you're finished, soldier."


I should be. That was the first thing he thought but of course
he did not say it. If he did not want to go through hell the
next days, weeks, months probably he knew he should avoid any
answer like this. Lucius was clever enough to read the signs
and realise that the open conversation was over now as he had
seen the permission to speak earlier.

Barbattus
 
"It will do you well not to question the orders of your
superiors. To do so could prove to be very painful for
you,"


"Yes, Sir." Lucius confirmed and almost saluted when he
tightened his muscles as expected from a soldier who talked to
his officer. He had seen how the Roman army worked (how every
army in the world worked - as far as he could tell from the
countries he had visited with his father) and he had certainly
no intention to learn more about the pain of not following
such instructions and orders while he tried to avoid following
such things blindly.

Barbattus
 
"Should it happen again, I will flog you myself until
the skin hangs from your miserable arse."


And without any doubt the man meant what he said. Lucius knew
that disobedeince was met with sever punishment but so far he
had not learned it the hard way. He began to question if it
had been a good idea to say what he was thinking about all
this. Sometimes it was good to sit on his mouth, really. But
then Barbattus surprised him.

Barbattus
 
"But perhaps I misjudged you. "What concern of yours is
that woad woman?"


Before Lucius answered the Roman officer sneezed. Trying to be
helpful and kind Lucius said: "You should take care, Captain."
Maybe not the best thing to say so he added: "She is no
concern of mine in fact but..." - what could he say? - "... a
woman, being captured, treated like a piece of meat and hit by
man, three times stronger than she is. Also enemies can be
treated with respect... Sir." Lucius almost forgot already
that he had been informed that the moment of speaking openly
was over.
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golden_trillium

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Author: Starbelle
Date: Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:43 pm
Jols


Once back in the fort, Jols took charge of his and the
knight's horses, making sure that they all were led to their
stalls before removing their tack and getting a good brushing
down complete with a warm blanket placed over their backs.

Before leaving them, however, he made sure that there was
water in the troughs in the interior of each stall. A sugar
cube for a treat was their reward for being patient.

Once each mount was seen to, the squire locked the doors and
began looking over each of the knights' weapons, deciding
which ones needed to be looked at by the smithy and which ones
he could take care of himself.
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golden_trillium

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Author: LadyCastus
Date: Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:44 pm
Malcus Barbattus


Malcus wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and cursed
violently under his breath. He was disgusted at the thought
that he may be coming down with a cold. He made up his mind
right then and there that he would not. He pulled his leather
tunic up around his neck tighter and adjusted his cloak.

Lucius
 
"You should take care, Captain."


"Yes, Lucius, I should," Malcus replied, trying not to snap at
the soldier's seemingly genuine concern. "But don't change the
subject. What about that woad creature?"

Lucius
 
"She is no concern of mine in fact but... a woman, being
captured, treated like a piece of meat and hit by man,
three times stronger than she is. Also enemies can be
treated with respect... Sir."


Malcus stared at the young man in front of him. Jesus! He was
compassionate! Compassion could get a soldier killed! But
Malcus knew that a soldier without compassion was dangerous
and made that soldier nothing more than an animal. An
unreliable, lying, trecherous animal at that. The Commander
made a mental note to spend more time with Lucius. He wanted
to know more about this soldier. Malcus wanted to know if he
should beat the other man unmercifully within an inch of his
life for his insubordination or whether he should take Lucius
under his wing. He'd been looking for a trustworthy soldier -
someone who stood out - to mold and shape into a fine officer
one day. Like Malcus had done with Titrus.

"Well, we'll not discuss that issue tonight," the commander
said at last. "I am tired and thirsty and in need of food,
drink and possibly a plumb, randy wench. Soldier, you are
dismissed for the evening. You have served enough of my
sentence, inform the watch commander." Malcus turned on his
heel as Lucius appeared to want to speak. "Don't press your
luck, soldier!" he yelled, "I said, dimissed!" Lucius saluted
and waited until Barbattus descended the rampart steps before
he left his post to report to the duty watch commander.

Malcus and Titrus left the ramparts and headed toward the
commons. Fortunately, the tavern wasn't that far away.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Starbelle
Date: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:12 pm
Tatiana


Before uncurling her lithe form out of the position that she'd
chosen to use for security and following Vanora out of the
tavern and down to the stables to report to Mirtha, she
decided to take her used dishes over to the washbasin since it
all seemed very quiet and planned to wash them off before
being used for another patron as the young girl had been
taught to by her Mother.

Once they'd been cleaned, dried off and put away, Tatiana
headed out of the safety area. A double-checking of the
passage way to make sure that it was really all-clear. Tilting
her head to briefly listen to the quiet absentness of the
thunk-whap from the woad's weapons, a relieved grin appeared
on the girl's face.

'Thank goodness that that's done with' She thought
thankfully as she stood momentarily in the doorway before
heading off.
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golden_trillium

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Author: lady ione
Date: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:26 pm

Brendyn


He lifted his face to the wintery sky as if seeking wisdom
before meeting with Malcus and Titrus. Brendyn shivered which
made his arm ache, and he felt light headed from lack of
sleep. He was headed toward the ramparts, and carefully
searched the dispersing crowds for sign of the men he was to
have met up with. His wet cloak hung about his body, but it
did offer some warmth...more warmth than he had experienced
earlier without one. He began to move again, lowering his eyes
to watch where he was going....

...His stomach rumbled.

Brendyn was almost to the foot of the ramparts, when he saw
Malcus and Titrus descending the steps. With a heavy sigh and
a slight cough, the young soldier made his way toward them.
The Commander had wanted to talk with him, and he did not want
to be late for the further instructions. Antonius had always
told them never to let sickness stand in the way of duty, so
though he was near exhausted and shivering, Brendyn still felt
he had to meet the man to find out his orders for the night.
The Commander at Aesica had been a good Commander, but never
believed that sickness was an excuse for no duty. Also the
theory that letting a soldier sleep before a battle would make
him harder to "warm up" before fighting, so he had woken the
men very early, before dawn, the morning of the battle.
Brendyn had tried to sleep the night the battle ended, but all
he could see were his dead friends and Commander. It was in
this, that most of the men secretly felt the Commander was a
bit "fanatical" about training both mentally and physically
and less sleep and relaxation. Not that that was bad, but an
exhausted soldier on the battle field was a dead soldier on
the battle field...

Brendyn's hand went to rest on the sword at his side.

As Malcus and Titrus left the last step and began to head
toward him, Brendyn approached the two men. What a sight he
must have looked: dripping wet from the snow and rain, pale
and trying to hide the fact that the cold was bothering the
injuries on his arm making them ache...

He saluted them, and said, "Sir, you wanted to see me in order
for me to receive further instructions after seeing the
medicus." In his mind, he felt Antonius would not have looked
kindly on a soldier that looked weak, so he did his best to
look strong and ready for work. The Commander looked over the
soggy soldier before him as snow had melted and was running
down the young man's face. Looking over at Titrus, then back
to Brendyn, Malcus gestured toward the tavern, and the two men
followed eager to get out of the snow.

Flagging a wench, Malcus gestured for Titrus and Brendyn to
sit down so they could get at least some food and drink. He
eyed Brendyn and noted the young man was doing his best to
look healthy...
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golden_trillium

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Author: sabor ice
Date: Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:44 pm

Ash


This was a horrid experience for Ash in its entirety. He
didn't know what was worse: smelling like a Roman from the
Roman clothing he wore, mingling among his enemy while
pretending to be one of them, or allowing their people to tend
to him, when all he wanted to do was rip out each and every
one of their throats. Ash felt abashed, naked, without his
personal effects. The Woad had to continuously remind himself
just what his purpose at Badon was in order to keep his
composure.

The men that had hefted and hauled him to the infirmary had
been mildly suspicious of his story, however; his excuse of
amnesia had seemed to quell their doubts a bit. They had asked
him the most mundane of questions over and over again, but
never once had Ash faltered in his answering. He had seemingly
been consistent enough that it had satisfied the already
distracted soldiers and convinced them that he was temporarily
inept, and they had eventually let him alone in the hands of
the nearest capable nun for mending.

Ash hissed at the nun a couple of times during her
ministrations, but each time she dismissed his reaction with a
tut of her tongue, as if it had been a kind of regular
occurrence at the infirmary. She had no idea what truthfully
fueled his fire, nor would she - no one would - not yet. When
the wretch finally left his bedside, the Woad shifted
uneasily, eventually managing to prop himself up into a
reclining position, his arms crossed over his chest. His brow
frowned in consternation, and his lips pouted pensively. He
lazily tilted his head back against the wall, as his gaze
inconspicuously shifted about his new surroundings. Ash, of
course, did not expect to see Eala nor Neeria, but as for the
vulture he had seen swipe up the girl at the gate, he would
ceremoniously keep an eye out for him.

Ash would wait until full cover of darkness, once most of the
fort had settled in for the night, and then like smoke through
a fence, he would slip out of the infirmary and infiltrate the
fortress in further attempt to locate his comrades'
whereabouts.
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golden_trillium

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Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:43 am

Arthur


Arthur was struggling to focus on any one thing. Lancelot was
knelt before him tenderly - tenderly? - wiping away the blood
from the wound that pained him while Darya gently wiped a cool
cloth on his fevered brow. How ironic and surreal that both
cared for Arthur at once….another sharp pain in his side
flooded his senses and reminding the Commander of his duty. He
had to face Merlin….focus, damn you. And then the healer came.

Neeve
 
“Gentlemen…may I request a brief report on what exactly
has happened, how it happened…and what has been done so
far?”


Arthur had opened his mouth to answer, yet it was Lancelot to
actually give a reply. And considering the level of pain the
Roman was feeling right now…that was best. Besides, Neeve
would see right through any attempt to hide it the moment
Arthur would speak.

Lancelot
 
"The commander took a poke to the side from a nasty
Saxon blade… I've cleaned and patched it as best I
could, but as I said plenty of times before, I am no
medicus."


A retort for Lancelot was on the tip of Arthur’s tongue, but
he thought better of it. Lancelot was injured as well and the
Roman had not the strength for even the smallest of wordplay
with his lieutenant right now. Arthur sat his mug on the
corner of the table closest to him and then finally bothered
to look down at his wounded side. He visibly winced at seeing
the bloody mess surrounding it and knew instantly that he’d
require more than stitches. Arthur’s vision wavered again and
he reached up to press a hand over his heated brow.

Weary emerald eyes looked up at Neeve as Lancelot stood and
gave way to the healer. The Commander had known Neeve for many
years and knew the Briton would be undaunted by his injury…and
perhaps most importantly not intimidated by his rank. She
would do what must be done and tolerate Lancelot’s curt
demeanor as well.

Neeve
 
“I just cannot leave you alone, Artorius Castus, can I?”


A small tired smile as Arthur’s green eyes met Neeve’s
familiar piercing gaze.

“Perhaps this is all an elaborate ruse that I had constructed
in order to gain your attention,” Arthur said dryly, doing his
level best to make light of his injury. But he was no fool and
realized that his condition was grave. He felt the heat
radiating up from the wound and knew that he’d gone without
proper care for far too long. But he had led them all home and
he had repelled the Woad attack….the Roman Commander had
completed his mission with success….despite the physical pain
Arthur endured.

Darya
 
“Are you sure you don’t need someone to assist you…?”


“I will be fine, A…Darya,” Arthur said softly to Darya,
encouraging her to do as Neeve instructed; catching himself
before addressing her intimately in front of the others
present. He then briefly turned a concerned eye to
Lancelot….the knight would also require tending and Arthur was
tempted to order the other man to the infirmary…but knew
better of it. Besides, Neeve had quite innocently instructed
Darya to tend Lancelot….yet Arthur’s pride had him attempting
to watch how the two Sarmatians interacted. Thoughts that
should have been long forgotten crept up in his
mind….arguments long since settled and accusations long since
explained away. Perhaps it was ‘fever’, but Arthur sensed
something was off…something in the way she moved and something
in the way he had been tending Arthur moments ago. The Roman
slightly shook his aching head and lifted a hand to pinch at
the bridge of his nose. I cannot do this now. Arthur then
returned his focus on the healer before him.

“I suspect the blade may have been coated with a poison. I
should not feel this weak….I have been cut numerous times
before and not been affected so acutely and so quickly,”
Arthur reasoned; keeping his voice low as he wished to not
alarm Darya or Lancelot. Neeve would know what to do and do it
with discretion.

“Neeve, I have urgent business….do what you can as quickly as
you can…and then please see to Lancelot,” Arthur continued and
again kept his voice low enough that he hoped the two
Sarmatians would not overhear. The Commander knew both would
only argue and he had not the strength to fight them.









Derfel

Linnette
 
“Hmmm…I suppose so. I can wait with her until you come
back…and then I do want to…to go light a candle for
Gedeon.”


Derfel watched Linnette with concerned eyes as she seemed to
accept what he’d asked and went about settling a chair next to
the bed. Her voiced cracked with emotion as she’d spoken the
latter part…and Derfel was almost certain he’d seen the
glitter of tears in her eyes as Linnette had turned her gaze
from him just now. He swallowed roughly as he stepped to the
small dresser containing his clothing. He wanted to offer
Linnette some words of comfort, but had no idea what to say
really. Gedeon had been his closest friend among the knights
and Derfel already missed him terribly and mourned his loss.
But he could not fathom how Linnette must be feeling right
now. He clumsily retrieved a clean tunic and worn deerskin
trousers from the top drawer and turned towards the door when
Linnette’s soft voice caught his ears again.

Linnette
 
“I should do that,”


Derfel’s hand was on the door when he turned back enough to
look at Linnette. He exhaled while trying to think of
something he should say before leaving….but nothing made any
sense.

“I’ll be quick….thank you for staying,” He ended up saying and
then slipped out of the tiny room and headed to the bathhouse
to clean up a bit. Derfel visibly shivered as he made his way
across the courtyard through the icy mix of snow and rain now
falling on the fortress, he’d forgotten his overcoat in his
haste to get on with his task. He’d also forgotten his shaving
blade. Damn. So that would have to wait until tomorrow. The
knight found the baths quiet, noting the presence of two
people on the far side and not warranting a greeting.
Thankfully so, as he wished to get back to the sisters as
quickly as possible. And every moment away from them had
Derfel anguishing over how to manage Linnette…what to say and
how to help her. At least those thoughts kept Derfel from
thinking on his own loss.

Upon Derfel’s return to the small room he shared with
Linnesse, he found Linnette still sitting in the chair by the
bed gently rubbing her sister’s hand as she had been when he’d
left. Derfel deposited his filthy clothing in the small linen
basket next to the table and then approached Linnette. The
fire in the brazier was still going strong and casting a warm
glow on the side of her face….yet all it did was intensely
illuminate the sadness Derfel could see in her downturned
face. He raked a hand through his damp hair and then brought
that hand to Linnette’s shoulder.

“Linnette, I….I would feel better if you’d stay here
tonight…for Linnesse of course,” Derfel said softly while
looking over Linnette’s shoulder to Linnesse’s sleeping form
on the bed. But what would he do if she refused?
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Ranchera
Date: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:15 am
Connell


Connell had departed to tend his animals and came back to the
Woad encampment in time to see Guinevere transform herself
into a tattered vagabond. He watched Guinevere approach Merlin
and Juna and he almost smiled.

Guinevere seemed nearly ready to leave, and Connell would
accompany her. He would have no disguise-- he needed none. He
stood and awaited Guinevere, allowing the light flakes to fall
upon his shoulders.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:36 am
Linnette and Linnesse


Derfel
 
“Linnette, I…I would feel better if you’d stay here
tonight…for Linnesse, of course."


Linnette raised her head and looked up at Derfel, a bit
startled. Unconsciously, the muscles of her shoulder
contracted, shying away from the touch, though not actually
brushing it off. Beside her, on the bed, perhaps reacting to
Linnette's sudden tension, Linnesse stirred again and blinked
her eyes open, a sleepy smile spreading across her face when
she saw Derfel- but then as she realized that all was not well
with Linnette, she looked anxiously to her sister, beginning
to struggle up to a half-sitting position. Linnette dropped
her gaze from Derfel and solicitously pushed a pillow into
place for her sister, then stood up and pushed her chair back
with a sigh, looking from Derfel to Linnesse.

"Stay here? There's no room." Linnette gestured bleakly around
the tiny bedroom, then shrugged sadly. It would have been
cramped quarters even if she had wanted to be here...and just
as before, it felt terribly awkward to be.

"And besides, you want to be...alone." She added that in a
softer voice, once more dropping her eyes and making another
vague gesture. Linnesse, with an effort, sat the rest of the
way up, clear worry written on her face.

"Linnette, no, we're not..."

"You do." Linnette stated that baldly and firmly, leaving no
room for arguments. She drew herself up, took another deep
breath, quickly exhaled, and made another attempt at a brave
smile.

“I’ll come by first thing in the morning. Good night, sister.”
She bent and kissed the still rather-bewildered-looking
Linnesse on the forehead, then turned back to face Derfel,
feeling awkward once more. No, she didn’t belong here- not in
Linnesse and Derfel’s tiny room, where they deserved their
privacy. She was extraneous, outside of this, part of another
couple that didn’t exist anymore.

“She’s really doing much better, Derfel- she just needs to
regain her strength.” She paused for a moment, unable to think
of what else to say. It seemed like there should be something-
but nothing came to her mind. Once more, and for no particular
reason, tears pricked the back of her eyeballs, and she
dropped her gaze again to the floor.

“Good night,” she murmured, stepping around him to get to the
door.








Merlin

Well, that was done, and done well. Against the odds, perhaps,
Ash had pulled it off- he had gotten inside, presumably
carried off to the Romans' infirmary to have his wounds cared
for. With a small smile of satisfaction on his face, Merlin
wriggled backwards on his belly, retreating from the clump of
bushes just beside the road where he and Guinevere had hidden
themselves to watch Ash's attempt to enter the fort. An
attempt which had been quite successful, happily. He kept down
flat to the ground- his cut arm aching even though he tried
not to use it much, though that didn't concern him
excesssively- until they reached the shelter of taller trees,
and then it was once again safe to stand up and to speak in
very low voices. The distant guards on the Roman walls could
not see or hear them from here, not in the near-darkness.

"That went well- Ash has a good sense of deception," Merlin
remarked to his daughter as they started down the faint, but
to them obvious, path back to the camp. The thought of a warm
fire and his bed of furs in his tiny hut was beckoning to
Merlin, a blissful anticipation after a long day. And at this
hour, surely the Lady Lourdes would find it expedient to
simply stay the night? Another relief- much better for their
plan.

"You must stay well-hidden, daughter, but Ash may well depend
on your knowledge of the fort. You probably know many of the
hidden crannies." Merlin turned to Guinevere with a rather odd
smile on his face, a slightly uncomfortable one. Yes,
Guinevere's knowledge of the fort would probably prove
invaluable- but the very reason for that knowledge, her having
lived in the fort for so long last summer, was still a source
of chagrin to Merlin. She had renounced Castus and his ways,
and come back to be fully Woad again- but still the thought
that for so long she had been within those walls, not to
mention the fact that Fiona, her younger sister, was now,
could not help but rankle. Woad women should not have to
shelter in the fortresses of the enemy!

"Ah- there's Connell, waiting for you," Merlin added in a more
contented voice, seeing the healer who would join Guinevere
standing near the edge of the camp, heedless of the snow
falling gently on and around him.
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