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April 2008
Topic Started: Nov 5 2009, 10:37 PM (3,956 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:25 pm
Drake


Drake felt awkward.

No, more than that.

Drake was awkward. His movements should have been smooth. He
was a man experienced in all manner of things in life and yet
he was still... hesitant. He looked down at Linnette in
uncertainty, not sure if he was right about her, not sure if
he was right about himself and his own heart. He wanted to
talk to her about loss, about losing the ones you loved but he
was not sure he could talk about his own loss without becoming
a dark and cynical bastard. There was a part of him that just
wanted to tell her that he knew the pain that she felt and
that she could get through it. But was he really the type of
person for her to aspire to be? He was a bloody wreck...

The Spaniard was saved from making a fool of himself, as it
would inevitably turned out to be, by the sudden appearance of
Linnesse and her fair-haired lover, Derfel. Drake's jaw tensed
and he took a step back, almost guiltily. His brow was
furrowed and he felt his shoulders flatten in a defensive
manner.

Now he felt and looked awkward.

Who was he to be hanging around escorting Linnette around the
place? Who was he to insist on remaining in her company until
he was certain she was ok? Who was he above her sister and
future brother in law? Drake's green eyes never left Linnette,
his heart giving a treacherous wrench when her sister removed
his cloak from her shoulders. It was almost insulting, almost
as if his cloak wasn't good enough for her.

And he supposed, on reflection, it probably wasn't.

Drake took the tattered red cloak and held it in one tight
fist by his side. He was aware of Derfel watching him and gave
a quick glance in his direction before staring off into space.

Derfel
 
“Drake isn’t it? Appreciate you looking after this one,
We’ll be sure to get her to the Commander shortly,
unless you need escort her personally? How is Arthur?”


He didn't mean to, but Drake looked at Derfel's hand with a
slight curl to his lip before reaching otu his own hand to
shake it. It wasn't that he disliked Derfel as such, he just
felt that his comment about looking after 'this one' sounded a
little derogatory to Linnette, as if she cuoldn't take care of
herself. Immediately defensive about Linnette, Drake pursed
his lips, looking towards the red head who was being led off
by her sister.

Drake was distracted by her little wave, her adoreable face
crinkled in appreciation as she mouthed a word of thanks to
him.

"I do." he responded distantly to Derfel's question about
whether he had to escort her there himself. He didn't have
orders to of course, but he still did feel that he needed to
bring her to Arthur's door and back again without her coming
to harm. Clearing his throat, shaking his head to dispel the
wondrous image of Linnette's thanks, Drake glanced at Derfel
and gestured for the Saxon to walk with him, a few feet behind
Linnette and Linnesse.

"I don't know about Arthur. I met a messenger who could not
find Linnette. I found her and delivered the message." the
Spaniard explained in a droll, rumbling tone as they turned a
corner, heading towards Arthur's quarters. "How went the
mission?" Drake asked for conversation purposes only. He
wasn't truly interested nor hugely affected by the outcome of
the mission. Not yet at least - the fact that most of the men
had returned showed that it had been a victory at least. But
at what cost? And what consequence?













Eala

When Neeria attemtped to make funny faces to ease the tension,
Eala just stared at her in bewilderment at first. It took a
while for her to realise what Neeria was doing and she gave a
snort of amusement a little late, just as the older woad
embraced her. The little blonde walked into the room right
next to Neeria, her big black eyes looking around the room in
wonderment. There was a horrible smell in the room that was
nothing like what Eala was familiar with, and it made her
wrinkle her nose in distaste. She took a step in behind Neeria
for a moment, looking around and getting her bearings.
Of course her sharp black eyes stalled a moment on the shelf
of shiny utensils. Eala favoured knives and daggers in battle
and she thought that some of those knives were big enough to
use as weapons.

Oh she looked entirely guilty of course! Eala had not mastered
the art of being discreet but at least her attention was now
diverted to the nun who was speaking to Neeria. Eala didn't
like the nun - she could hear that she spoke words but it only
struck her ears in a rumble - a consistant rumble at least.
She started to rock a little on her heels, coming around to
stand defensively in front of Neeria. The older woad took her
by the shoulders and made an effort to explain to Eala what
wuold happen - but it only appeased her a little.

She still didn't trust this woman with the voice!

The ten-year-old's heart was racing, her limbs would not
remain still, her feet moving constantly as she paced around
Neeria and wathced the older woman slide onto the bed. When
Neeria made an expression of pain, Eala grit her teeth and
slid over beside her, standing on the opposite side of the bed
to the nun, holding Neeria's hand. Eala watched the other
healer prepare something then flickered her gaze to Lavinia.
Her eyes were angry, her body as tight as a wound coil....

"Gahh - num..." she tried to communicate as best she could,
pointing at Neeria then pointing at the nun threateningly,
promising to kill her, silently, if she hurt Neeria. Eala
crouched a little, her knees bent, and she rested her chin on
Neeria's shoulder, looking down at the oozing wound. It didn't
seem to bother her, this horrid infected wound on the other
woad. What did bother her was the Roman nun who was
approaching. As Lavinia got closer, Eala got more edgy. Once
Neeria's eyes rolled back in her head Eala could not contain
her concern any longer. Accusing black eyes turned to the two
healers -

She gave a soft whine of protest when the nun got to the
bedside, then bounced up, unable to hold herself still. She
lashed out a hand, shoving Lavinia away, climbing astride
Neeria's legs and covering her body with her own, glaring over
her shoulder at the nun. "Nnnnn! NNN!" she snapped, shaking
her head defiantly before looking down at Neeria, reaching her
two hands up to the woman's face, shaking her head between her
hands to try and make her come to.
















Amadeus

The silence was deafening. Amadeus was almost starting to feel
embarrassed about how he had phrased his response as he looked
at Arthur. The man certainly held himself admirably, but the
Optio was beyond admiring Arthur. He wanted to be rid of him -
there was no room for admiration there. It was obvious he was
in a great deal of pain, he was weak now - there was no time
or chance for pity or sympathy. Strike while the iron is hot,
Amadeus reminded himself. He could feel Lancelot's glare but
pointedly refused to even acknowledge the dog's presence. The
same could be said for the two bitches in heat that Arthur
kept close too.

Arthur
 
“Thank you for your assessment, Amadeus, Merlin has
broken his word. Have there been any events that have
taken place in my absence, any confrontations to your
knowledge that might have provoked his attacks?”


And finally he spoke!

Amadeus had not been quite aware of how awkward he felt until
Arthur spoke, breaking the tension. The man took a deep
breath, holding it as Arthur quizzed him, nay, doubted his
abilities to run the keep in his absence! Amadeus' lip
twitched in a near sneer and he blew his pent breath
irritably.

"Provoked?!" Amadeus blurted out in disbelief, "Broken his
word?!" he continued in a huff of breath, "He attacked this
fortress at it's supposedly weakest time sabotaging a treaty
which you ... " Amadeus cut off, his lips smacking together as
he got a rein on his temper though it still blazed in his
sharp, grey eyes. Taking a breath through his nose, Amadeus
straightened his shoulders and looked at a point above
Arthur's curly hair. This was infuriating. The man was weak.
He had to be gotten rid of. Soon.

"There was no provocation, Commander. This is just evidence
that you cannot, and should not treat with the enemy. Ever."
the Optio said with a lift to his upper lip that showed
disdain for those who thought to negotiate with the blue
animals that besieged the fortress. "I do hope that this has
put paid to any more plans to negotiate with the woads, Sir?
They cannot be trusted, they have proven it so. Why did you
bring that one back, Commander? The woman? Why keep her alive?
There are enough of our men dead to make her life forfeit in
retribution."

Oh Amadeus knew he was pushing it! He knew he was stepping
over a line that he would not be able to retreat back from but
he did not care anymore. He cared only about Badon Hill now,
about the defense of this once great Roman stronghold! He
cared about ensuring his position as it's new Commander when
Castus was ousted.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Starbelle
Date: Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:48 pm
Tatiana


Adian
 
"I was suppose to meet my future wife here, but it looks
as though she is busy elsewhere." "Well, let me go and
get our food and bring it here....."


"She must be very lucky to have found someone special like
you, Adian." Tatiana replied with a happy grin for him.
"That's fine." She nodded in agreement to his comment.

Adian
 
"no...it can't be true...it's not true...YOU'RE LYING!"
"Stay away from me....all of you!..."


"Adian.. I'm so so sorry.." The young stablegirl got up from
her chair, her hazel eyes dimming like someone had blown out a
candle when she heard the news.

"I never knew or met her before, but she must have been very
couragous to do what she did for that little boy. Can you tell
me all about her? I'd really like to know her through you."
Tatiana said as she got up from her chair and walking over to
where the pile of food lay on the floor, but stopped herself
from going any further, as both her friendship with Brendyn
and the uncertainty of the situation froze her steps when she
reached it hoping to calm him down with her soft voice,
treating him like she would a terrified stallion in the
stables.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: sabor ice
Date: Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:57 pm

Ash


It hadn't been difficult losing the healer, and luckily for
him, he was amnesic, so even if he had been re-discovered, Ash
would've simply fallen back into character. As the morning
grew long, more patrons bustled about, making it much easier
for Ash to blend in. It was astounding how obliviant the
Romans were, and it made him wonder how his people ever
could've succumbed to defeat against them in battle. The
thought of defeat made Ash bare his teeth in disgust. How
simple it would've been for him to slip about the homes of
unsuspecting Romans in the night, slitting their throats while
they slept, but alas, it was not meant to be. He was on a
mission. Ash didn't accept failure, and he knew Merlin would
not either.

He had stayed mostly out of the public eye, studying every
nook and cranny, memorizing every inch of the fort he had
touched. He took mental notes on where men were stationed on
the walls as well, and how often they rotated the guard.
Luckily the wall near the stables where the Woads had
infiltrated the fort during the last attack was not heavily
guarded - it would make it much easier for Ash to admit his
counter-parts later.

Stealthily, Ash made his way back toward the heart of the
fortress, being mindful of where he chose to lurk, and
cautious so not to draw unwanted suspicion in his direction.
He heard something then, a jingle of chains or something, and
sounds of protest. Hunkering beneath the alcove of a building,
Ash watched in silence as several soldiers came into view, and
to Ash's astonishment, they had Eala forcibly in tow. He
narrowed his hate-filled eyes, his body immediately tensing
like a box of springs, and his nails digging into the ground
beside his knee. It took everything in his power not to sneak
up behind them and dispatch the soldiers as they were caught
off guard. No, it was too risky. Instead Ash inconspicuously
trailed them back to the infirmary. The soldiers and Eala
disappeared inside, and Ash remained well hidden in the
shadows. Listening. Watching. Waiting.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:48 pm
Linnette and Linnesse


Once inside her room again, Linnette brushed off Linnesse's
offers to help her dress as nicely as she could, insisting
instead that her sister sit down in one of chairs and rest.
And Linnesse, still noticeably short of breath after her
near-run to catch up with Linnette, did not put up any more
than a token protest- a fact that, while in a way a good
thing, was also worrying; it meant she really was quite tired.
Seeing this, Linnette paused to pour her out a cup of water
from the very little left in the bottom of her jug, setting
the mug before Linnesse with a tight, worried expression.
Actually, the tightness was due to holding back tears, too-
the sight of Gedeon's saddlebags, forlorn on the bed, had
brought that urge to cry right back again. She had to take
care of them some time, had to look through them and put away
their contents properly- but she couldn't imagine doing that
just now. Couldn't imagine it at all. To do that would be to
dismantle the last clear evidence of his presence that she had
left to her- the bags that he had packed with his own hands,
arranging everything just the way he wanted it. No- she could
never unpack them. They would just have to stay that way
forever.

But she couldn't stand here moping, either. With a deep,
shuddering breath, forcing herself to look away from the bags
and put them out of her mind, Linnette turned towards the
clothes chest, where she quickly and efficientlly took out a
dry dress- her red one- and the doffed the soaking wet one she
was wearing without further preamble. Something else reminded
her of Gedeon as she dressed, trying hard not to really look
at anything- the cold heap of ashes in the brazier, where she
had never even lit a fire last night. It reminded her suddenly
and forcefully of the candle she had lit in the chapel for
Gedeon last night, of the small glow of the flame and the
smell of its burning. What if it had gone out? What if it
wasn't burning any more? Would her remembrance and prayers for
Gedeon still reach God and Jesus and the saints if it wasn't?
The priest was supposed to keep an eye on the candles, make
sure they stayed lit, but...what if he hadn't? What if he had
been busy, called away for something? What if the candle had
gone out?

The thought siezed her, deepening its hold on her till it
became a near panic, and she threaded her laces as hurriedly
as she possibly could, then tugged her hair out of its braids
almost roughly in her haste. Linnesse started forward a
little, a half-uttered offer to help Linnette with her hair on
her lips, but Linnette dismissed it with a brief sound,
instead just pulling the loose hair back into a ponytail at
the base of her head. It wasn't really a proper hairstyle for
a grown woman, but it was better than just loose, and she had
so little time! First Arthur and then the chapel...what if the
candle had gone out? Perhaps she was fixating on that because
she was, truthfully, nervous about being called before Arthur
in her present state- but in any case, she worried about it,
enough to make her stomach twist with the worry.

She turned to help Linnesse up from the chair, an offer which
was accepted- Linnesse's face was a little drawn with fatigue
still, but the short sit in the chair seemed to have done some
good- and went to the door, stepping out into the corridor in
time to hear Drake ask Derfel a question that ended in the
word "mission". Drake was still here? She blinked in mild
surprise at that- but perhaps it was not so surprising if he
and Derfel had been talking.

"Derfel..." she stepped towards the two men, addressign
herself to her brother-in-law, the idea coming to her even as
she started to speak. Maybe he could check on the chapel for
her...just to make sure? She couldn't ask that of Drake, for
obvious reasons, or of Linnesse- it was too far for her sister
to walk. But maybe Derfel wouldn't mind. Maybe.

"I have to go see Arthur, but do you think you could do
something for me? It won't take long." Her eyes were
apologetically downcast at that, but as she began to explain
they came up to meet Derfel's, pleadingly.

"I...I know it's silly but...could you..." there was a catch
in her voice now, a catch of crying kept sternly under
control, but threatening any second. Curse it, she did not
want to cry now, again! She could no go before Arthur looking
all blotchy and teary, if she could possibly help it!

"Could you go to the chapel and see if Gedeon's candle is
still lit? It's the one..." she took a dep breath, blinking
back tears and steadying herself. The trembling was staying
out of her chin, thank God- that was a good sign, so far as it
went.

"The one closest to the front." Because Gedeon was the most
recently dead. The unsaid explanation for that seemed to hang
in the air for Linnette, and she hurriedly went on by way of
covering it.

"It's silly, but I just worry...please?" She blinked up at
Derfel, her eyes shining with unshed tears, then glanced at
Drake, almost automatically, as for reassurance. The fact that
he was still here as, in some small way, reassuring; she
didn't need anyone to walk her to Arthur's, she knew where it
was and she was fine, but still...the fact that Drake had not
just walked off was comforting, even if the reasons for his
not doing so might have had nothing to do with her.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: linnet
Date: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:03 pm
Mother Lavinia


Neeria
 
“I am called Neeria.”


Lavinia was doubly worried when the badly injured woman lost
consciousness after managing to speak her name. She was
worried that the infection had spread beyond help, and she was
worried that without Neeria’s assistance, the little girl
would not be able to understand and accept her help. It didn’t
take long to have her second worry proved valid. When the nun
approached the woman, the youngster pushed her away. And to
make things worse, the child was making Neeria’s treatment
more difficult by throwing her own small body protectively
over her unconscious kin.

Lavinia cast a quick frustrated look skyward, silently praying
for patience. The woman who had brought clothing for the
Woads, and was staying to assist, appeared uncertain as to
what to do to help. She looked to Lavinia for guidance.
Because this assistant was not a nun, only a healer, Lavinia
considered that the child might not be as frightened by her.
But rather than ask the assistant to jump into the fray,
Lavinia felt compelled to try calming the girl herself. There
wasn’t time to waste for Neeria’s sake.

The little Woad was eyeing the nun suspiciously, not about to
let her touch the woman. Lavinia lowered her body to her
knees, with much creaking, so that she would not tower
threateningly over the child. She also lowered her voice, and
spoke very softly and slowly, directly to the girl, guessing
that she was able to hear a little, and pick up other things
by sight. Lavinia kept her hands folded in her lap. “Neeria is
hurt badly. She needs healing. I am a healer. I can help her
now if you can help me.” Lavinia kept eye contact with the
girl, hoping she understood, but seeing only blackness and
distrust looking back at her. “I will not hurt Neeria. I will
fix her wound, and you can stand by her and hold her hand so
she is not afraid.”

This definitely wasn’t Lavinia’s normal way of dealing with
patients. But this was no normal patient. There had to be a
more humane and Christian way of handling the girl than
clamping her in chains or tossing her into a dungeon – she
hoped.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:01 pm

Adian and Vanora


Bors
 
"That'll do for now darlin'" "I'll just 'ave ta fill up
on you later."


She had felt Bors pull her close before she turned to face
Adian. The sooner she told him, the better she felt at not
withholding what he wanted to know. Her felt tears though she
really had not wanted to cry in front of Bors. She, too, had
been there when the young woman was struck down. Now, the pain
and sorrow that shown on Adian's face was one she could not
picture until now. When she looked down at Bors, he had been
grinning at Adian's question and had continued to eat....

Adian felt sick as he blindly stumbled backwards toward the
door, shaking his head and murmuring that it could not have
possibly happened. And the Baby? Was it dead as well? Tears of
pure hate began to brim in his eyes as he looked at the faces
around him. "just...just keep away from me....I-I mean
it....You are all lying and...I want nothing to do with any of
you!...hiding her from me..." The distraught man turned and
fell over a chair only to pick himself up again....

Vanora wanted to go after him, but she wanted to stay close to
Bors. Vanora could never imagine her life with out him in it,
and it was situations like this taht made her greatful that he
was still there for her. Right now, she just needed him to
comfort her.... Not far from him, she saw Tatiana move slowly
and cautiously to pick up the food from the floor.

Adian had not heard what Tatiana had said to him at first, but
his eyes followed her to the food that lie on the floor. He
felt dangerous right now, and hoped that the young woman was
wise enough not to follow him...he hoped that everyone in the
tavern was that wise. When he thought he heard her speak,
Adian just stood by the slightly opened door and turned his
face to her....

Tatiana
 
"Adian.. I'm so so sorry.." "I never knew or met her
before, but she must have been very couragous to do what
she did for that little boy. Can you tell me all about
her? I'd really like to know her through you."


Adian's eyes narrowed as he just looked at the copper haired
woman like she was the enemy. Everyone was! Why could no one
have saved his beloved wife to be from getting killed? Did she
really have to die? The anger he felt now inside made him feel
hot. "Don't talk to me like I am some nut case! No one could
understand her the way I did! No one!" He looked at Bors,
Vanora then back at the young woman whose sweet voice was
trying to break through the bad feelings he was feeling. "And
IF ye are wise, you'll not follow me! Do you understand?! I
just ant to be alone!" With that he slammed the door open and
stalked out of the tavern...

Not far off, Fiona had come down the stairs from the wall, and
had decided to get some breakfast before going to see Adian at
the infirmary. She had been looking for him until an old lady
told her that she had seen Adian in the infirmary the other
day. As she approached the tavern, though, she stopped as she
heard what sounded like yells and things being knocked over.
It sounded like Adian!

About that moment, the tavern door slung open and Adian ran by
her. Adian thought he had seen her, but was not in the mood to
have anyone staring at him in his angry weakened state.
Without Thorn in his life, he was less than nothing....









Ione

It was still early morning when the two male servants came to
fix the door to the shop. Ione had watched them for a moment,
before continuing folding the blankets she continuously made
for the infirmary.It was the one thing the place
needed...especially this time of year. Some of the shelves
were not damaged so much that they could not hold the
blankets, and she neatly stacked them there. The other
blankets, she and another servant folded and placed to the
left of the Infirmary blankets. These were the ones people
came in to buy....those and the cloaks and yarns. These were
how she made her money now...

Ione went over to the shelf and stacked the last of the
infirmary blankets on the top shelf, and turned toward the
over turned table. The red yarn was still there....the one she
had fixed Arthur's cloak with. He had repaid her kindness by
granting her ownership of the weaver shop. Something else came
to mind about the conversation: Arthur had told her that she
was not a servant, but was at the fort under his
protection...since the night Accolon had risked his life to
bring her here. Ione never forgot his act of kindness toward
her. She picked up the red strand and ran it through her
fingers.

Javier. Ione had recalled how much she had wanted to tell
Arthur the good news of her engagement, and to have him meet
the Commander who had become like a brother she had never had.
She had always been sure that Arthur would have liked the
southerner....

"Miss, where would you like these yarn spindles?" The low
gentle voice belonged to one of the men who had helped fix the
door. Now that it was fixed and hinged, it kept the shop a bit
warmer.

"Over next to the loom on that odd looking bar on the wall,"
Ione gestured toward the wall she mentioned. With the red yarn
still him her hand, Ione went to the window and looked out at
the Winter morning. She looked down at it, and then stuck it
in her pocket as though it was a precious treasure, then
returned her dark eyes to the gray day.

Somewhere out in the great big world was Javier, the man who
had stolen her heart. The young weaver looked down at the ring
on her finger and touched it lightly somehow knowing that the
dream had been too good to last....

Why could she not shake the feeling that her beloved was never
coming back to her no matter how hard she wished?
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