Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Na The Past. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 5
  • 29
April 2008
Topic Started: Nov 5 2009, 10:37 PM (3,981 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Unicorn
Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:33 am

Dagonet


Linnette
 
"Wh...what? No...no, you can't mean..."


Dagonet did not look up clenching his teeth together fighting
with the tears that threatened to fall. He felt added pressure
from both Saoirse and Derfel ove the hold on him. And it made
him feel slightly stronger. The denial of truth from Linnette
made his heart tremble with such force... He reacted the same
way then.. when Arthur had told him.

But then... Arthur was looking deep into his eyes.

He himself could not lift his head to look at Linnette. Just
could not look upon her face and see emotions passing over
it.... He would broke.

It felt like thight chain held his chest and restrained his
body to move, to move any muscle.

The tall knight was aware that Linnette took few steps
backwards squeezing Gedeon's ring in her hand, but still did
not move. His strenghts, his bravery for anything left him,
his shoulders shook in a short moment of giving up to the
sorrow. Short moment, before he took deep breath in and pulled
his face straight.

He saw Linnette's feet moving, shifting her position to see
her husband returning... To see her beloved one somewhere,
where she did not look before. But he wasn't there... Dagonet
once more felt so guilty over not finding his son's body. He
should make his last travel ontop of his horse... should be
burried...

Not like this!

Linnette
 
"Where is he?"


Her whisper filled with such anger made him frown in worry and
compasion. Where is he? Simple question, for which came the
most difficult answer. He was dead... Dagonet understood that,
saw the tall wall from which Gawain saw him fall... he had
seen the ground in blood... Gedeon's blood... But there was no
body...No body! There should be Gedeon's lifeless form.. But
it was nowhere to be found. He had left... He felt like a
coward right now. He should stay there... Gawain and Derfel
should have left him there.

Dagonet wanted to hide from Linnette's eyes, but they were
upon him and he seemed to cringe in panic and pain.

Linnette
 
"Where is he, damn it? Tell me!"


The unexpected movement from her... She grasped his collar of
his tunic and pulled him down to face her... with such force,
that it made him hiss in pain, any quick movement was hurtful
for him in his state. And this made his muscles thighter even
more.

Her eyes... her voice...

All demanded the answer he could not give her. His first
reaction was to avoid her eyes still and he closed his eyes in
desperation and tilted his head to the side slightly. Anything
not to look upon her. Anything not to break.

His world stopped for this moment... The only thing he could
hear was the beating of his own heart and the only thing he
could see was the face of his son... that dream he had.
Linnette demanded answer... he should answer her... He should
tell her.

But his eyes were squeezed shut and he could not force himself
to open them. Linnette's still held his head down towards hers
with force, and that force made his soul torn in two.

Soon emotions took over him and tears went down his cheeks
from under his closed eyelids.

Reluctantly, with fight strain plainly visible on his face,
Dagonet oppened his eyes, moved his head and looked directly
into Linnette's eyes. He swallowed roughly and parted his lips
to speak, but there was no words, only his teary, sorrowful
eyes for Linnette to see.

And he felt so much lost in her angry gaze... so much need of
sinking to his knees and asking for her forgiveness. So much
in need to hide away from her eyes... but he couldn't

"I.... You..." he struggeled with his mind, he did not know
what to say. The pressure on his neck incrising as well as the
pressure in his chest, but he kept his gaze upon Linnette's
eyes. "I saw... I've searched for... him...." he let out a
desperate breath.

"Linnette...." he whispered, tears running freely down his
face right now. "G...Gedeon.... isn't coming back" it was not
easier to say instead of dead as he thought. He let out a gasp
of pain as his side ached terrible in the position he was
standing.

"Please...."

He would have hold her. he would have lend her some comfort.
But there was no commfort he could give, as he had none of it
himself. He had no arms to give her as strenghts in his body
failed him.

"Forgive me.... I am so...." he wanted to say sorry, bu that
word did not fit. Nothing could describe how was he feeling
right now.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: sabor ice
Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:51 am
Alina


Galahad
 
"Come on... maybe you can look at this."


The look on Galahad's face had said it all. His jaw was
tensed, his eyes filled with anger - not at her - but over the
truth, the truth that had proved to be too difficult for him
to verbalize. Most of all, though, it was the obvious hurt
imprinted in his tone of voice and written upon his features
that had struck such a cord with her. Alina was upset hearing
of Gedeon's passing, shocked really, but nothing she felt
could've ever compared to the loss others must have felt,
Dagonet and Linnette most notably, and even the other knights.
First Accolan and now Gedeon - how many more would be
sacrificed for Rome's cause? They had died in vain, all of
them, all of the knights. It was so wrong, it was all so
wrong...

Alina squeezed shut her eyes, dispelling the threatening
tears. She buried her face against Galahad, too cowardly to
even glance back at where Linnette and the others were. All
thoughts of Kolya had fled her mind, for all she wished now
was to feel Galahad beside her, to touch him and know that he
was still alive, and he had not left her to wallow in life
completely alone. Not yet.

She sniffed when he pulled away, but was grateful when he took
her by the hand and began leading her away from the courtyard.
Not even she had the energy to confront Linnette now during
such a sorrowful time for her. Galahad had offered her a way
out, a distraction, and she welcomed it without question,
quickly tottering beside him as he led his horse to the
stables.

While seeing that Galahad's horse was appropriately tended to,
it had crossed Alina's mind just to steal him away into one of
the empty stalls, to press herself up against him and capture
his lips with hers. She wanted to feel his life pulsing in
rhyme with hers... But, something hindered her, preventing her
from doing so. A curtain of awkwardness enveloped her when she
suddenly thought about what Kolya had once said to her -
something to the effect of "'ever have sex in the stables?'"
She unexpectedly flushed in mild embarrassment - though it
quickly turned to anger - and she internally scolded herself
for having allowed Kolya to get into her head so easily.
Incorrigible, infuriating man. Why did she have to be so damn
attracted to him? Alina groaned inwardly.

This time it was Alina's turn to take Galahad by the hand and
lead him elsewhere. The stables had started to feel a bit
stuffy and suffocating anyway...

Galahad's room was expectantly cold upon arrival, but Alina
didn't notice - she was much too flustered to be bothered by
something as trivial as the temperature. There was some stale,
cool water still on the table, as well as some unused bandages
left-over from last time she had patched him up. He would need
his wounds properly cleaned and re-bandaged later, but Alina
had an inkling that Galahad would refuse going to the
infirmary just now, so soon after finally returning. Kolya was
probably still there as well, and he was Alina's reason for
not wanting to go to the infirmary either. She just wanted to
be able to focus on Galahad and not have to enter another
state of chaos and confusion just yet.

"Let me see what you've done to yourself this time," Alina
said, tsking, and then she offered him a small, wry smile in
attempt to help lift his spirits up off the ground, even just
a little bit.









Milan

Mari
 
"He hurt my body, Milan. But he never hurt my heart. He
... scared me. He ridiculed me, he shamed me but you fix
all that. Just by being you, you help fix all that. Say
my name... ?"


He bowed his head, mulling her words over in his mind as she
glided around back of him. Her naked, soft breasts gently
pressed against his back; her warm breath was against his ear.
Oddly enough, Milan wasn't nervous nor embarrassed about
having Mari so intimately close. It wasn't inappropriate nor
even carnal. Her skin against his skin just
felt...nice...natural...

Mari had always been so generous with words. The flattery she
compassionately imposed upon him now and again always troubled
Milan, mostly because he believed he had never done anything
for her or in his life to deserve such praise. Now it came
along with the mention of Mordred's malice, and it made him
shake his head to himself. No, he was not the reason Mari was
so brave, even so soon after her terrible ordeal - after all,
he had run away when it had happened, had he not? Mari fixed
herself because she was strong - it had nothing to do with
him.

He lifted his arms from the water, reached back for her arms,
and gently wound them around his mid-section. Her hands were
gently engulfed by his own against his chest. He smiled
half-heartedly, offering at least a little something on her
behalf as he glanced back at her. Both sides of his mouth
curled into a genuine smile then as she quietly requested for
him to say her name. Her name had become imprinted on the back
of his mind forever - it was the one word he could speak
flawlessly, proudly.

"Mari," Milan whispered.

He slowly whirled around to face her, hardly disturbing the
water in his ministration. Like she had done when she had
rested herself up against him from behind, Milan, too, ignored
their nude closeness, discarding foolish awkwardness, and
lightly wrapped his arms around her slight form.

"Mari," he mused again, and then he kissed her lips. This
continued for a few short minutes - he'd murmur her name
tenderly, and then immediately seal it with a chaste kiss.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:12 am

Arthur


Darya
 
“Just a scratch...it’s mostly Woad blood...”


The answer was truly not much of a comfort for Arthur. The
fact that his lover had been forced to fight off attackers
made him feel both angry and ashamed for not being here to
defend Darya. Arthur knew she was Sarmatian and knew what she
had been prior to coming to Badon, but he still preferred to
foolishly think she needed his protection.

His fingers gently squeezed at her elbow as Darya lightly
touched Arthur’s cheek. His side twinged again and Arthur had
to fight hard to hide his pain. But Darya knew him nearly as
well as Lancelot and she most likely saw through his masked
expression….just as Lancelot did.

Darya
 
“And should I not be the one asking you this
question...?”


“It is only a scratch,” He lied thinking to spare her further
worry.

Darya
 
“I have missed you so much...”


Arthur’s hand at Darya’s elbow slid to her shoulder as she
pressed her forehead to his breastplate. Her apparent ache at
his long absence only served to make Arthur feel that much
guiltier for it. He had no right to keep a lover while leading
the life of a soldier. He had no desire to cause Darya pain as
Arthur knew that he would continue to do so….for he must leave
again immediately….face Merlin and possibly his own death. She
would not understand. And as Arthur’s gaze briefly took in
their surroundings, he noted Dagonet held up by Derfel and
Saoirse standing in front of Linnette….and Arthur felt a wave
of nausea rise up in his throat. It should have been him to
inform Linnette…it should be ‘Arthur’ begging her forgiveness
for making the young woman a widow.

….but the familiar voice of his lieutenant broke through
Arthur’s darker thoughts and forced the Commander to focus on
what he must do.

Lancelot
 
"Forgive my interruption, Commander, you need to get to
the medicus. And don't even think about arguing, unless
you want another semi-fatal wound on your hands."


Arthur’s gaze briefly lowered to Lancelot’s shoulder before he
answered. His hand on Darya’s shoulder dropped to gently reach
for her hand.

“You will have your arm examined as well, my friend. Accompany
me now to my quarters and both will be tended while I prepare
for what I must do,” Arthur’s tone suggested…or rather
insisted….that Lancelot not argue the point. His eyes silently
spoke volumes as well….Arthur wished for Lancelot’s council
and needed his cooperation. Yet standing here with both Darya
and Lancelot churned up a raw emotion that Arthur had thought
well buried by now. He and Lancelot’s friendship had seemingly
found stable ground again. Yet, there were still three people
in this ‘relationship’ and although he had no time to deal
with matters of the heart right now, Arthur could not
completely shove that particular pain aside….especially not
with Darya and Lancelot so close.

Lancelot
 
"I gave that wonderful girl you picked up for us over to
Tristan, I'm sure she'll be more than fine with him."


“Fine. As long as she is kept alive long enough to be of use
to me,” Arthur slightly narrowed his gaze at Lancelot
reminding his lieutenant of her value, to ‘Arthur’ at least.
But Arthur trusted Tristan as well and knew the scout would do
what was required.

“Come,” Arthur slightly lowered his chin and murmured to Darya
before turning towards the main structure housing his private
chambers. The Commander briefly halted the young lad who had
taken possession of his stallion and informed him to have his
mount ready to go out again within the hour. Casti, along with
several of the horses, was then led away by a stable boy who
would see to it the white stallion was tended to and ready as
instructed.

Arthur then began to lead Darya while still holding her hand
towards his quarters. He briefly glanced over to Lancelot to
be sure the knight also accompanied them. And only a few steps
had been taken with Arthur’s vision wavered. He blinked it
away and focused again on simply reaching his rooms. God, give
me strength now…my task is yet before me. I cannot falter.









Derfel

Linnette
 
"Where is he, damn it? Tell me!"


Dagonet
 
"I.... You... I saw... I've searched for...
him....Linnette.... G...Gedeon.... isn't coming
back…Forgive me.... I am so...."


It was utterly horrid to watch Linnette’s expression, her
pained reaction to Dagonet’s explanation. Derfel’s gut churned
and he had to fight back his own raw emotions as he listened
to Dagonet attempt to sooth her. Derfel continued to hold onto
Linnesse’s slender frame, but nearly lost his grip on Dagonet
when Linnette reached for the tall knight.

Derfel felt the urge to say something…some words on Gedeon’s
behalf. But as he opened his mouth…nothing came out. His
sorrowful blue eyes focused on Linnette and he waited for her
to fully comprehend what all Dagonet had explained to her.
They had searched for hours and hours until Dagonet was near
death himself. Gedeon was lost to them.

… and as Derfel’s thick fingers squeezed at Linnesse’s tiny
waist, something snapped in his brain. Neeve was still with
them and his lover felt ‘thinner’ than he’d remembered…and she
had been slow to reach him…and she was far too pale….oh
gods….was Linnesse ill?

One hand remained firmly on the back of Dagonet’s trousers
should the Sarmatian still need physical support. But Derfel
twisted enough to look down at his lover.

“Linnesse?” He quietly whispered her name knowing she would be
greatly upset about Gedeon’s loss, but also Derfel was now
concerned for her well being.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:37 am

Brendyn


He moved about the area helping unload the wagons, making
friends as he did so, though there was not much time for
civility as yet. He ran his hands through his hair, and
scanned the crowd for the Centurion. The man was busy, but he
needed to know if he was to be placed immediately on duty
which was the case at the other fort. No time for slacking. He
needed to find the infirmary so that his few wounds could be
looked after though they were not life threatening, but first
he had to see what his duties lie for the night...

Straightening his uniform, he approached a man who also seemed
to be a Commander...one he had not met yet (Malcus). The man
was indeed busy, but it was best to see what duties he had for
the night, or if they had other business for him to attend to.
Brendyn moved to attention as he approached the place where
the two men were talking, but stood a respectful distance away
to give them room to talk, but gave a quick glance to the
Optio on horseback, and bowed with some respect to the man
(Amadeus) as it was always good to acknowledge those in higer
rank than one's self...

As the conversation came to a close, his eyes followed from
the man on horseback to the man in front of him. Brendyn
approached the man, and cleared his throat, "Sir, I have been
transfered here from Aesica, and I am reporting for duty." He
looked at his superior just as the lovely woman walked by. She
was lovely, but duty before pleasure....he'd have to wait
another time. Right now, Bren had duties to preform, and he
awaited his orders intently...









Vanora and Bors

Vanora knew she should not have interefered in the
conversation, but sometimes she was just too curious about
things happening around her for her own good. This time, her
curiosity met with some news that shook her for a moment, and
she had regretted asking....

Gawain
 
“Gedeon died at Segedenum, Vanora,” “We never found his
body.”


She was too stunned for a moment to say anything, and all she
could feel was herself being pulled close to Bors as he
offered solice. Vanora stared at her dear friend, a sob
catching in her throat, 'You-you could not find his...body?'
Her gaze went over to Linnette who now seemed to be reacting
to the news Dagonet had given her. How could she help, or give
comfort to Linnette? She and Gedeon had only been married a
short time.

Bors looked at Fiona and Gawain, then leaned over to kiss his
lover, 'I should go over and see what I can do to help....damn
fuckin' battles anyway...all they bring is heartbreak and
loss...' He shook his head and broke his embrace from her,
then walked over to where Derfel stood holding Linnesse, Neeve
stood by, and Dagonet was being questioned by Linnette who did
not seem to want to believe the news of her loss. The husky
knight stood close by, but did not want to interfer yet, but
somehow just add support.

As Bors moved off, Vanora's gaze followed his limping body,
then moved her eyes back to Gawain. She stepped back for a
moment to give Fiona and Gawain some time to finish talking.
Vanora needed time to consider how lucky she was that she had
not lost Bors, and held the small girl in her arms as the
other children gathered around her, on the other hand she felt
selfish that she had someone still by her while Linnette had
no one now but her unborn child....
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:57 am
Linnette and Linnesse


Dagonet
 
"I...you...I saw...I've searched
for...him...Linnette...G...Gedeon...isn't coming back.
Please...forgive me...I am so..."


“No…” Linnette whimpered the word, releasing Dagonet and
taking a step backwards, staring at him, the tears starting to
slide silently down her cheeks now. She shook her head again,
trying once more for denial, but there was no more denying it
now. Isn’t coming back…isn’t coming back. The terrible words
seemed to run circles in her head, utterly conquering her,
driving out all else. Gedeon wasn’t here because he would
never be, because she would never see him again. He was gone.

“No.” She whispered it now, as the lump in throat rapidly
swelled into a sob, but she couldn’t stand there and cry
naked-faced in front of all those people. She seemed to fold
in on herself, shoulders slumping as she brought one hand, the
one holding the ring, over her face, inadequate to disguise
the heaving sobs or the tears leaking out between her fingers,
while the other hand came up automatically to cover her
stomach, now with just the slightest hint of a curve to it
that betrayed the presence of her child, Gedeon’s child, the
last tenuous remnant of Gedeon, sleeping within. This was it-
this was all there was left. Her husband gone- her child
fatherless before it even saw the light of day. Gone.

The rain, which had seemed inconsequential to her before, even
a lark as she ran through it joyously on her way to the gates,
now oppressed her, the cold drops chilling her to the bone as
they ran down skin and clothing and hair, the heavy clouds in
the sky seeming to suck all vestiges of beauty from the world.
But even though she was soaked and freezing, she couldn’t
summon up the energy to care. Why move to shelter? It would
make no difference at all- it would not change anything.
Gedeon was gone.

At Derfel’s side, Linnesse stirred and raised her head, her
own face tearstained, as she felt Derfel’s arm tighten around
her waist. He looked down at her worriedly, and even though
all he said was her name, she could tell what worried him- he
had noticed how thin she was, how changed from the last time
she had seen him. Despite dress and cloak between them, his
fingers seemed to press directly against her ribs, close
enough to count every one- no flesh in the way at all.

Derfel
 
"Linnesse?"


“I’ve been ill,” she explained in a whisper, her face turned
up to his. She forced a brave smile around the tears; this was
one thing that she did not want him to worry about right now.
There were more important things.

“I’m much better now,” she added earnestly, innocently unaware
of how incongruous that sounded when combined with her pale,
peaky face and pathetically thin body. She took a step
backwards from Derfel, still looking up at him anxiously, then
turned towards her sister and closed the distance between them
in a couple of shaky steps. Her side, warm from being next to
Derfel, felt chilled at the sudden loss of contact, but that
was the smallest of considerations; Linnette was all she saw
now. Still wobbly on her feet, she reached out and took her
sister in her arms, stroking her hair with one hand, as if she
were a child. The weight of Linnette’s head on her shoulder
made her weakened muscles ache- but not nearly so badly as the
ache in her heart.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Kay
Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:52 am
Guinevere


Merlin
 
"I think I will add someone else to your group- Connell.
He is a steady man, a good observer, and his skills may
come in handy.Would you find him and fill him in on the
plan, please?"


Guinevere began to turn away when Merlin reached out to her;
he gently squeezed her shoulder and she gave a slight smile;
suddenly Connell appeared in front of her father.

Ash had left by this time, to gather his disguise for the
mission.

Guinevere heard her father tell the healer that he wished the
man to join his daughter and Ash on the mission.

Merlin
 
"Guinevere will tell you what you must do."


Guinevere stepped forward and drew the healer aside,
explaining the details of the plan to him.

"Lourdes has expressed a wish to assist in the plan" she said,
after explaining the mission. "But my father says we are not
to trust her, merely lead her to believe she is helping; we
must be on our guard. Ash will open the gates for us if he
cannot lead Neeria and Eala out by himself."

Satisifed that Connell understood what must be done, Guinevere
left to seek out a suitable disguise.

She found a disguarded, bloodied length of cloth and wrapped
this around her head, covering one eye; it would hamper her
vision, but it was a sacrifice worth making to hide her
identity.

She threw a long cloak around her shoulders and lifted the
hood over her head, tucking her long hair out of sight.
This should suffice, she thought, and hurried back to the
clearing where her father was waiting.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Unicorn
Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:22 pm
Dagonet


Linnette
 
“No… No.”


Her face turned into the sad expression of pain and horror of
what he had just told her. She released him and took a step
backwards

This time Dagonet watched her with his sorrowful and teary
eyes...

"Linnette... please" he whispered desperately trying to say
something more... Something that would give her comfort, but
in truth he could not utter any word.

As the sob caught her throat. He could do nothing for her...
He was not strong enough for it, even if he would like to be.
Derfel's grip upon him was loosened, but the tall Sarmatian
did not care.

The way her face filled with tears and the way she rised a
hand to cover her mouth... The way she slipped her other hand
to touch her stomach. He bowed his head once more and breathed
in a shaky breath. His body ached with such sorrow and pain.
Slowly Dagonet shook his head.

"I failed..." he whispered and felt new tears come to his
eyes.

Then he saw Linnesse coming to her sister and huging her in
that protective matter while her sister's body was wrecked
with sorrow and cry.

He took step forward... he wanted to held Linnette also... but
in the moment he moved a loud grunt left him and his knees
failed to hold his body upright. There was still Saoirse and
Derfel at his sides and helped him to stand upright.

"It is.. my fault... I should have protected him." he said
looking at Linnette.

His eyes suddenly went shut as pain shot trouhgt his body. His
cheeks went white and a cold sweat washed over his body. Gods!
This hurted! A soft moan left him and his shoulders slouched.
And in that moment he knew he was overstraining his body to
the limits.

"I am sorry... so sorry!" he said with desperation his eyelids
not rising to look up just giving up to the pain...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:53 pm

Linnette and Linnesse


Dagonet
 
"Linnette...please. I failed...it is...my fault...I
should have protected him. I am sorry...so sorry!"


Linnette felt, rather than saw, the initial movement near her;
her head was still buried in Linnesse's shoulder and her own
hand. She had the sensation of something lurching towards her
rather dangerously, though, and beneath her cheek Linnesse's
balance seemed to falter; so she raised her eyes dully, to see
what it was. Dagonet had moved towards her, but clearly he was
very weak. His eyes were barely open, and Derfel and Saoirse
were only just managing to support him. And he was trying to
apologize to her- apologize! As if anyone except the barbarian
Saxons had taken her husband away from her. She shook her head
again, in protest this time against Dagonet's strength-draining efforts to...well, to do something. There was nothing he could do- nothing. And she couldn't be angry at him. There was too much of Gedeon in his face, too much resemblance, despite the age difference, for her to hold a grudge. Moving slowly, dully, she detached er hand from across her stomach and touched Dagonet's, just lightly.

"You should go lie down," she murmurred, her voice choked with
barely restrained tears. If this whole scene here in the rainy
courtyard was somehow responsible for making Dagonet's
condition even worse...well, she couldn't bear it if that
happened.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: linnet
Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 3:21 pm
Juna


Juna kept an eye on Merlin and those he spoke to when she had
a moment between patients. Most of the wounded had been tended
to now, and she planned to return to her shelter soon. She
could dry off and ease down from the stress of dealing with so
much pain. She was determined not to interfere with Merlin’s
business as leader. At least not in public again. The presence
of Lourdes , however, made her very uneasy. She disliked the
woman intensely with her airs of mystical power. As if the
results of hard work with trial and error could be claimed as
magical potions just because the ingredients were selfishly
kept secret. When Lourdes moved away from Merlin, Juna felt
better. A short time later she noticed that Ash was leaving
the group. How could he have failed to keep Eala from harm?
She was just a little girl. Ash should have stopped her from
going into the battle, or at least protected her during it.
Juna had thought he had more sense than other Woads.

When Connell suddenly approached Merlin, half dragging someone
with him, Juna’s attention stayed focused on them instead of
the man whose thigh she was bandaging. Now was a fine time for
the old healer to show up. Juna could have used some help a
lot sooner, even if Connell’s methods were out-dated and
crude. Then he let the limp body he’d brought with him drop to
the ground, and ignored it while Merlin bent over the prone
man. When she saw Merlin bow his head and rub at his eyes,
while avoiding the use of his injured arm, she’d had it. She
rose in an instant and nearly ran to reach him. Over her
shoulder she told the injured person she’d been with to finish
wrapping his own thigh, he’d be fine. Merlin was standing now,
looking in her direction as if he could use some help. She
reached him and rested her hand on his uninjured arm, a bold
move for her, but totally reflexive now. She studied him with
obvious concern in her eyes. Her wet hair was plastered around
her face and down the back of her soaked cloak, and her
expression of worry also revealed her tired and strained
condition. She knelt for a quick check of the unconscious man,
who was in fact just a young boy. “Take him to my shelter and
wait outside until I’m finished with him,” she instructed the
two men standing nearby. Then she stood and turned back to
Merlin. “You’re next,” the healer said in no uncertain terms,
her face the picture of professional sterness, until she
couldn’t hold it another second and a hint of smile hijacked
her lips and her eyes.

As she moved away to follow the two men a bit of conversation
between Guinevere and Connell caught her attention.

Guinevere
 
“Ash will open the gates for us if he cannot lead Neeria
and Eala out by himself."


So that’s what Merlin had been working out. Eala was alive,and
Ash was going to help her. Juna had been right about him in
the first place. But who was Neeria, other than the prisoner
that the Romans held?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 3:37 pm
Merlin


Juna
 
"You're next."


"Am I?" Merlin quirked an eyebrow at her- she was suddenly the
picture of the stern, knows-what's-best healer. She was
smiling, though- he could see the little, inexorable hints of
it playing around her mouth and eyes, and Merlin could not
help but smile back, in the same subtle but obvious way that
she did to him. The understanding between them had grown to
downright comfortable proportions rather quickly- a fact which
surprised Merlin in a way, but also did not surprise him. This
had been, he supposed, a long time in coming- and it had been
he himself who had been the fool and dragged it out longer.

"I'm all right...really. It's no worse." Merlin protested as
she ushered him over to the place where she had set up her
supplies. He did want to see her, truly, if only just for a
few minutes, but the fact was, he didn't need the medical
aspect of the attention. Things were settling down, but surely
there were still many that needed it sooner than him. Still,
Juna's insistence on seeing him now touched him a great deal-
it couldn't help but feel good to be so cared for.

As they moved over to the place where she wanted him, Juna
turned her head curiously in the direction of Guinevere and
Connell, now with their heads together over the explanation of
the plan. Juna looked curiously back at Merlin, a slight
puzzlement on her face, and Merlin, bending his head slightly
down to hers, supplied an answer to her unspoken question.

"We're getting them out. Eala and Neeria- it isn't right that
they should die in a Roman dungeon." His voice was grim and
determined- they were going to do this. Neither of the two
captured Woads were anything less than heroes. They would not
be abandoned to their fates.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:21 pm

Malcus Barbattus


Someone behind Malcus cleared their throat, disrupting his
lascivious thoughts of Catherine. Malcus turned around to see
who was seeking his attention. Before him was a young Roman
soldier whom he didn't recognize. "Who are you?" he asked
gruffly.

Brendyn
 
"Sir, I have been transfered here from Aesica, and I am
reporting for duty."


Malcus groaned. Dammit! he cursed inside. I'll never get to my
men! The Captain looked the young man up and down. He wasn't
impressed with him really, but the young man had a certain air
about him that struck Malcus enough to be interested in him.

"Very well, follow closely behind me and don't open your
mouth. I have to check in the men first and then I will deal
with you and get your paperwork processed. I'm assuming you DO
have paperwork. What's your name, soldier?"

As Brendyn spoke, Malcus and Titus headed toward the soldiers
that had returned with Arthur and conducted an informal
inspection. After a quick debriefing with the squad commander,
Malcus was finally able to dismiss his men to their eagerly
awaiting families.









Neeria

Neeria clung onto to the Scout as he carried her over his
shoulder. The pressure on her side was terribly painful and
she flinched with every step he took. Her mind was racing,
Where is he taking me? What is he going to do to me? Does
Merlin know I've been captured? Will there be a rescue?

Neeria couldn't see where they were when Tristan stopped
walking, but she could smell it. It was horrible. The smell of
old, stale urine, sweat, feces and the gods only knew what
else hit her empty stomach strongly. "Oh no," she thought. Her
small body still trembled against the cold. Neeria heard
someone, probably a guard, address the scout. He answered the
guard with absolute disgust in his voice.

Tristan
 
Some Woad bitch that Arthur wants kept. Wants her ready
to go out again in an hour.


An hour? Neeria was shocked. An hour!

Guard
 
We'll give her one of the nicer rooms, then.


Tristan began walking again and crossed the threshold into a
tiny stone room with a very small window and straw on the
floor. Tristan roughly lowered his shoulder and let Neeria
slide to the floor, not breaking her fall. The woad woman
fought to keep from wretching. Holding her side, she stared at
the scout. He was very tall and very muscular with tattoes on
his cheeks and dirty braids swinging about his face. Neeria
was stunned at the resemblance of the tattooed man looking
down on her with sheer hatred on his face, to her fallen
husband, Mikel. Her mouth fell open. She recognized him as the
one in the road when she'd led the attack, the one that got
away, but she'd been so absorbed in her mission that she
hadn't actually seen him until that moment.

The resemblance was unmistakeable. "I am hurt Sarmatian, I
need a medicus." She couldn't take her eyes off of his golden
orbs that were blazing with anger. "Please don't leave me here
unattended." Neeria slid closer to him, "What is your name,
scout?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: linnet
Date: Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:30 am
Juna


Merlin
 
"Am I? … I'm all right...really. It's no worse."


Now Juna smiled openly and gently at Merlin as he walked with
her to where her basket of healing supplies was sheltered by
trees. “I meant next after the boy,” she said, inclining her
head in the direction of the men carrying the youngster to her
shelter. “He’s in bad shape. I’m serious, though that you need
to let me look at that arm as soon as I’ve done what I can for
him, and you can spare some time.”

She looked again beyond Merlin to Guinevere and Connell. The
thought of Eala being held by the Romans revolted her,
although it was of course better than if the girl had died.
Juna remembered what it was like to be taken captive,
separated from everyone you had ever known, and faced with no
hope of anything but somehow surviving another day of abuse
and scorn. The feeling of being so utterly alone among strange
people unlike yourself was what she remembered most. That and
the things her ‘husband’ had forced upon her. She’d been
seventeen then. Eala was still a child. Nothing like that
would happen to the girl, Juna told herself. Merlin must have
seen some of her worry, as he bent his head close to hers.

Merlin
 
"We're getting them out. Eala and Neeria- it isn't right
that they should die in a Roman dungeon."


She nodded in approval. “Good. Get them out as quickly as
possible,” she said. Her concern was for the wellbeing of the
captives, and for all of them here. She knew enough of Eala to
believe the girl would never betray Merlin, even if she could
speak. But she didn’t know Neeria. She could only hope that
this person was someone who could be trusted to remain loyal
no matter what the Romans did to her. Juna looked with some
anxiety at the man most hated by the Romans, before she walked
away toward her shelter and the boy who needed her help.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Darya
Date: Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:50 am

Darya


Arthur
 
“It is only a scratch,”


Again Darya could only breathe a barely audible laugh and
shake her head slightly. The way Arthur was moving...the
weariness that was more evident than ever before told her
already, that the Roman was hiding the truth...again. But
then...that should not surprise her, should it? When it came
to injuries, no matter how bad they were, Arthur was just as
bad as she was...or Lancelot for that matter. “You are such a
bad liar, Artorius Castus...”, she whispered...but there was
not even a hint of reproach in her voice for she knew he chose
his words for a reason. She was, however, not sure just how
serious her lover’s injuries were...and how much pure
exhaustion was adding to his weary appearance... And just when
she considered suppressing her honest relief to see him again
for now and to focus on what she perhaps could do for him...on
how she could help him...when...

Lancelot
 
"Forgive my interruption, Commander, you need to get to
the medicus. And don't even think about arguing, unless
you want another semi-fatal wound on your hands."


Arthur
 
“You will have your arm examined as well, my friend.
Accompany me now to my quarters and both will be tended
while I prepare for what I must do,”


Making a tiny step backwards at Lancelot’s direct approach,
the dark-haired frowned at both men. Both injured
men...severely injured by what she could gather from their
words now. Her hand slid from Arthur’s face...but just to join
her other on his breastplate. She just could not get herself
to letting go of the Roman just now...not yet. “For what you
must do?”, she asked and Darya’s dark gaze shifted from Arthur
to Lancelot...and back again...a silent 'This is not over yet,
is it?' visible in her eyes.

As the two men exchanged a few more words about some girl, she
did not pay too much attention to what exactely they were
saying for she wondered who else might be injured...or worse.
If the two best fighters she knew had not managed to escape
the battle somewhat unharmed...then...

The female Sarmatian cautiously turned her head a little to
scan the courtyard again...and she saw a small group not
standing too far away from them... Saoirse and Derfel were
supporting an obviously also badly injured Dagonet...and there
was Linnette, who... Was she crying? Darya was not sure but by
what she could tell from Dagonet’s face expression...Derfel’s,
Saoirse’s...and the way Linnette was standing there...it all
told her that something really bad had happened. Blinking, the
dark-haired recalled who of the knights she had seen
returning...trying to remember if someone had been missing...
Her gaze lingered on Dagonet for a longer moment...and she
suddenly found herself wondering just why it were Derfel and
Saoirse supporting the tall knight...and not Gedeon, his son.
Gedeon. The frown on the Sarmatian’s face deepened. Where was
the young knight? She had not seen him yet... A bad feeling
suddenly threatened to make her feel sick...for a thought
crossed her mind; a thought she did not like... Granted, she
and Linnette were not exactly friends...but if her
apprehension about Gedeon’s absence was right, she felt
honestly sorry for Linnesse’s sister. Unconsciously, Darya’s
hands on Arthur’s breastplate tensed as if to make sure that
her lover was still there.

Taking a deep breath, Darya’s dark gaze was back on Lancelot
for a moment...then on Arthur when his voice reached her ears
again...

Arthur
 
“Come,”


The dark-haired nodded and briefly glanced down at their
joined hands when the Roman took hers in his. Silently
thanking the Gods to have sent him back to her, Darya gently
squeezed his hand for a moment before following his lead. All
three of them – Arthur, herself and Lancelot – slowly left the
courtyard...moving away from the crowd as they did so. “How
bad is it?”, the woman then asked quietly...both, Arthur and
Lancelot...yet not giving any hint if she was referring to
their injuries, to losses caused by the battle...or both. Or
something completely different.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: SarmatianKnight
Date: Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:12 am
Lucius


Amadeus
 
"It is good to be uninjured, Aquila. A man can do so
much more when unhindered with pesky injuries, is that
not right Commander Barbattus?"


Although Lucius was not addressed in the end, he nodded. He
understood what the Optio meant. Of course a man - no matter
if he was a mere foot soldier or a honourable Optio - was more
useful when he was uninjured. All the women, children and old
men who hoped for their aid and strength against the enemies
out there... they needed them all uninjured and so did their
Commander, Artorius Castus. Of course Lucius, trusting and
seeing the good things in people, did not question the meaning
of Amadeus' words at all. Never ever would he expect a Roman
superior to act against the rules and ethics. No, not the
Optio who was without any doubt an intelligent, kind and
caring man who knew what the right things were to do.

It had not been Lucius intention to not make sure that he was
happy for Commander to be uninjured as well. It had just been
a natural thing to point out that he was glad to see the
Optio. Would he have known what Barbattus thought about it he
would have hurried to explain himself but so he did not.

Barbattus
 
"I, too, am glad that you are uninjured, but it is often
said that the true bravery of a warrior and the accurate
assessment of his manhood is apparent by the battle
scars he bears for they are the ones that tell the true
story!"


Lucius followed the short conversation between the men in
silence but when he felt the Commander's eyes lingering on
him, he raised both eyebrows. What? Did he miss anything?
While he still wondered what so fabulous and amazing was about
scars Barbattus let him know what he missed:

Barbattus
 
"Make yourself useful, soldier. Report to the watch
commander where you be will assigned your guard
rotation. However, inform the watch commander that for
your initial rotation, I have ordered you to double
watch duty for your lingering about in the stable. Do
you understand your orders, soldier?"


Lucius natural smile turned into an open mouth for a moment.
Lingering about in the stable?! That was not what he had done
all the time and it was not right to see it from this angle.
He changed a look with the Optio who did not seem to step in
and change the order - of course. The soldier's smile returned
but it was coloured with a hint of disbelief when he finally
nodded. He knew that no protesting words wanted to heard and
it was not that bad that he felt like he had to explain the
facts and reality. "Yes, Sir." He could not suppress a sigh
though.

Brendyn
 
"Sir, I have been transfered here from Aesica, and I am
reporting for duty."


When another soldier approached Lucius excused himself with a
final salute and went to find the watch commander as
instructed. He found the man easily and told him what
Barbattus had said. Honest as he was and knowing that orders
were orders he did not even try to get out of the double
watch. The Commander seemed to be glad that he found a soldier
who would do twice the work. Obviously some of the men were
wounded or simply exhausted from the fights. So was Lucius but
he was sure he would make it through the watch. He went to
find his place up on the wall and sat down. He rubbed the
tight muscles in his neck when he leaned back against the
wall, scanning the horizon for any sign of the enemy.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:48 am
Tristan


Neeria
 
"I am hurt, Sarmatian. I need a medicus. Please don't
leave me here unattended. What is your name, scout?"


Tristan took a step backwards from the creature, looking down
at her with his lip curled in disgust. She was staring at him,
wide-eyed, with something like shock and desperation written
on her face. It made Tristan uncomfortable to be "noticed" so
much as she was doing now- usually he was about as near
invisible as a person could get. And she wanted his name! Some
ploy for sympathy, clearly- well, good thing Tristan had none.

"I'll tell the guard to get a healer," he answered shortly,
ignoring her question about his name utterly. He took another
step backwards, still eying her warily, then put his hand on
the door handle, ready to duck around it and shut it quickly,
before she could move any closer towards him.












Merlin

Juna
 
“Good. Get them out as quickly as possible."


"Gods willing," Merlin murmurred quietly as he followed Juna
over to her small shelter. The boy had already been taken
inside, and now Juna went in too, her basket over her arm,
ready to work her usual miracles. Sighing, Merlin leaned
against the wall of the shelter near the door, then slid down
to a sitting position, right next to the doorway, where he
could see part of the inside of the hut, and Juna and he could
hear each other, but where he would not crowd her at her work,
nor appear to be intruding on their privacy too much.

"If that damned priestess doesn't mess things up," he muttered
darkly, more to himself than to Juna, though his words were
audible. He was once again thinking things over in his head,
planning strategy. Once his three warriors were inside the
fort, he was confident that they could stay out of Lourdes'
way if necessary, but the thing that must absolutely not
happen is that Lourdes must not enter the fort before Ash did.
If she was allowed to do so, she might give him away before he
had had a chance to establish his cover. That meant,
unfortunately, that if Lourdes looked determined to leave the
camp before Ash's planned departure at sunset, Merlin must
have her detained here by force. Which would, in itself, be
displeasing to the Gods. Merlin looked around anxiously at the
activity still going on in the camp. At least there were
plenty of wounded- a tragedy, in itself, but also a blessing,
in that just treating them might suffice to keep Lourdes here
as long as they needed her to be. Well, if she began to look
like she was leaving, they must find things for her to do.

Merlin raised his head and peered around the doorframe at
Juna, a questioning look on his face. He had had another idea.

"Juna? Would you be able to help me with that, if it's
needed?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Free Forums with no limits on posts or members.
Learn More · Sign-up Now
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Vincit Omnia Veritas · Next Topic »
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 5
  • 29

Christmas Theme made by Pandorasaurus of Zathyus Network Resources and Graphic Force.