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| April 2008 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 5 2009, 10:37 PM (3,981 Views) | |
| golden_trillium | Mar 13 2010, 11:37 PM Post #61 |
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Author: Unicorn Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:33 am Dagonet
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!
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.
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. |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 13 2010, 11:40 PM Post #62 |
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Author: sabor ice Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:51 am Alina
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
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. |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 13 2010, 11:47 PM Post #63 |
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Author: Elessars Girl Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:12 am Arthur
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.
“It is only a scratch,” He lied thinking to spare her further worry.
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.
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.
“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
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. |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 13 2010, 11:49 PM Post #64 |
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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....
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.... |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 13 2010, 11:51 PM Post #65 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:57 am Linnette and Linnesse
“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.
“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. |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 13 2010, 11:52 PM Post #66 |
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Author: Kay Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:52 am Guinevere
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.
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. |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 13 2010, 11:53 PM Post #67 |
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Author: Unicorn Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:22 pm Dagonet
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... |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 13 2010, 11:55 PM Post #68 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:53 pm Linnette and Linnesse
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. |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 13 2010, 11:56 PM Post #69 |
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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.
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? |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 13 2010, 11:57 PM Post #70 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Sat Apr 05, 2008 3:37 pm Merlin
"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. |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 13 2010, 11:59 PM Post #71 |
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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.
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.
An hour? Neeria was shocked. An hour!
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?" |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 14 2010, 12:01 AM Post #72 |
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Author: linnet Date: Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:30 am Juna
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.
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. |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 14 2010, 12:03 AM Post #73 |
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Author: Darya Date: Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:50 am Darya
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...
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...
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. |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 14 2010, 12:06 AM Post #74 |
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Author: SarmatianKnight Date: Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:12 am Lucius
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.
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:
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.
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. |
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| golden_trillium | Mar 14 2010, 12:08 AM Post #75 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:48 am Tristan
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
"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?" |
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