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
May 2008
Topic Started: Mar 18 2010, 02:23 AM (3,639 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Kay
Date: Sat May 03, 2008 2:01 pm

Grace


Grace poured a little violet coloured liquid onto a cloth and
dabbed it on her tearstained cheeks. The lotion was a remedy
for puffiness around the eyes, but it worked equally well on a
face swollen from crying. She sighed heavily. This morning had
not gone well. She was certain that her reddened face had been
the cause of several lost sales; she was hardly a good
advertisement for her products.

Damn that man! she thought angrily. She blamed him for all of
this. She blamed him for her lost customers, for her bloodshot
eyes, even for the damn rain!

It was still some time before Caroline would be coming to take
over the stool. Grace took several deep breaths to calm
herself, and tried to look pleasant in the hope that the woman
currently browsing her wares would buy something, then at
least the morning would not be a total loss.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Starbelle
Date: Sat May 03, 2008 2:14 pm
Tatiana


Mirtha
 
"What the hell?" "Are you not suppose to be working now?
What the fuck are you doing here, when there is so much
work in the stables?"


Hearing Mirtha's angry voice snapped Tati out of her pleasant
memories, but it was only Brendyn's sweet smiling face that
helped her to keep her temper down to just a slow boil, but it
still flashed in her hazel eyes turning them a very bright
angry green.

"A friend and I were having breakfast when a bit of
distressing news caught my companion unawares causing the
dishes plus food to fall onto the floor." Tatiana replied
tossing her head back to look him in the eyes. "I was just
cleaning up the spill."

"I took care of what needed to be done in the stables and had
a few things to take care of, breakfast being one of them and
a few personal things that I still need to take care of before
I return to the stables." She added after standing up and
disposing of the remaining food and plates.

Glancing over at Vanora, Tati calmed rather quickly. "Thanks
again, Vanora. You helped me understand what happened. Its
very much appreciated." The stablegirl nodded polietly over at
the proprietess as she headed over to the doorway that Adian
had used just moments before in a grief-caused rage.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: linnet
Date: Sat May 03, 2008 2:24 pm

Gawain


Gawain’s smile broadened when the lovely whore sat down across
from him. She took a drink from his mug, and he pushed the
plate of bread and jelly toward her. “I’ll get you some tea of
your own,” he said when he remembered that he’d poured and
sprinkled his medicines in the cup she’d sipped. “I added some
stuff in this batch that made it taste like shit, but I don’t
think it will hurt you.” He grinned apologetically, and turned
to hail a server.

The beautiful young thing was studying him with amused
curiosity. He was used to being looked over and judged by his
appearance. The way he chose to look was his stand of
defiance, his statement of free will. This woman however,
seemed to be trying to look beyond that, and he didn’t mind.
He, in turn, sat back in his chair and appraised her with his
most critical eye. Getting beyond the purely physical was near
impossible with a woman like her. She was flawless. The shabby
knight had never seen anyone so immaculately clean and shiny.

Catherine
 
"Why am I sitting at a table with you sharing breakfast
at all? It seems... it seems a little eccentric, though
certainly not displeasing."


Gawain returned her friendly look as he shrugged and raised
his eyebrows to indicate she’d have to answer her own
question. Something about her presence was pulling him a
little way out of the deep, lonely, guilt-ridden pit of
self-pity that had swallowed him. He didn’t understand it, but
it seemed she offered a little company without responsibility.
She was someone he could talk to, never needing to go into the
damn Brianna situation, or his worries about his future as a
knight, or his guilt over Gedeon’s death. Someone who could
take his mind off those things for a while. Would he fuck her?
In a second, under normal circumstances. But right now that
wasn’t what he needed. Sex would distract his body, but not
his troubled mind. Well, not for long anyway.

She continued to watch him quizzically. She seemed willing to
stay for a few minutes, but he didn’t know what exactly he
wanted to talk about. Aha, there had been a question rolling
around in his brain since two days ago when he was busy
killing Saxons. He suspected that his breakfast companion was
more than a beautiful but empty shell. Behind the perfect
façade was the hint of intelligence. After all, how many other
whores of his acquaintance even knew the word ‘eccentric’
existed? She might actually be able to satisfy his curiosity.
“Do you know where Jutland is?” Gawain asked, leaning forward
a little, his expression hopeful.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: SarmatianKnight
Date: Sat May 03, 2008 2:35 pm
Lucius


Lucius stood there in the dim light of the chapel's candles
and looked at the cross above him. He was taught to pray back
then in his young years when he had had a family. The praying
turned into accusation, doubts and questions later but he had
to learn that this did not help to make things easier or
better. So Lucius had stopped that again, quite some time ago
and returned to the prayers he had believed in as a child. But
it was different. Nowadays he thought twice before he fell on
his knees and prayed, he hesitated to trust the Almighty and
he made his decisions alone, never asking for help. If anyone
would have asked him why he was here, why he even prayed at
all, probably Lucius would not have been able to give a proper
answer but he was here. That was all that counted for him and
it felt good and right.

Cold fingers touched rotten wood and traced the pattern of
years and years the chapel existed already while he made his
way to the other side of the room. The candles bruning there
made him feel warmer - inside and outside. A small smile
crossed Lucius' lips when he finally knelt down and felded his
hands for a prayer.

Pater Noster, qui es in caelis... sanctificétur nomen tuum...
advéniat regnum tuum

Lucius closed his eyes and tried to imagine what heaven would
look like and how it would be to be there. Different people
told different stories and he hoped that his beloved mother
and his father rested at a good place. And was the Kingdom not
here already? Rome, in fact, was good - of that Lucius was
certain although no doubt a few things went wrong.

fiat volúntas tua, sicut in caelo, et in terra... panem
nostrum cotidiánum da nobis hódie... et dimítte nobis débita
nostra... sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris

One thing was above any question: God's will was done - wanted
or not, purposely or not. But it was done. But was he such a
good Christ to forgive those who sin against him? Lucius hoped
it to be but deep inside he knew that he was not. He knew that
it was different and he knew that there were people he would
rather see dead than forgive them, people he hoped to meet in
hell again if necessary. It was terrifying and he wanted to
hide this secret deep inside.

et ne nos indúcas in temptatiónem... sed líbera nos a malo...

His lips started to move but not more than a few whispers
could be heard in the chapel. It was his own little prayer and
his own thoughts. The whispers became louder and turned into
spoken words and he did not realise it. Evil. So many things
were evil and no one ever recognised them. Everyone had this
evil side - the question was how well people were able to hide
this side. He opened his eyes and looked up at the cross when
he felt a movement next to him.

Derfel
 
“Forgive our intrusion, my friend,”


"Quia tuum est regnum, et potéstaset glória in sáecula. Amen."
Just when he finished the last words of the prayer he was
adressed by another man. A man with a woman who was probably
gorgeous but at the moment (Lucius squeezed his eyes slightly)
they both just looked like... wet was maybe the proper word to
avoid any harsh descriptions. The man was not wearing an
uniform but he was tall and strong, so maybe the blacksmith of
the fort or one of the carpenters with his wife? The woman was
not just wet, she was pale and looked slightly exhausted.
Lucius stood and took a step back to offer his place to them
with a small smile to kneel or sit down. To him it looked like
they should rather sit. "Is everything alright?" he asked
quietly.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Sat May 03, 2008 4:55 pm
Vanora


Well a day that she thought would be better now that Bors was
home was turning into a ruddy gray day...and it all began by
she herself thinking that Adian needed to know about Thorn's
death now instead of waiting....but then it really would not
have been fair even to lie and tell him that she had gone away
and would not be back. Vanora believed in the truth, but
sometimes the reprocussions just were not that great.

Nodding to Mirtha, she went to fetch him is breakfast, but was
able to scrounge up more than just bread and water. The tavern
was not totally depleted of food, but they were getting a bit
short on certain things. She returned to set the plate in
front of Mirtha, when she heard him curse and yell at Tatiana.
She watched as he got up from his place to walk toward the
young woman who just seemed to be running into all kinds of
bad mooded people..

Mirtha
 
"What the hell?" "Are you not suppose to be working now?
What the fuck are you doing here, when there is so much
work in the stables?"


She raised an eyebrow as his anger showed. Vanora went from
behind the counter to help Tatiana finish cleaning up the food
and dishes from the floor, and set them on the table before
going to get a broom and sweeping up the rest of the mess. For
a moment, Vanora saw a flash of anger in Tati's eyes, but
something prevented her temper from showing...

Tatiana
 
"A friend and I were having breakfast when a bit of
distressing news caught my companion unawares causing
the dishes plus food to fall onto the floor." "I was
just cleaning up the spill." "I took care of what needed
to be done in the stables and had a few things to take
care of, breakfast being one of them and a few personal
things that I still need to take care of before I return
to the stables."


Well Tati was sure brave enough, for Vanora like all of the
rest at the fort, knew of Mirtha's temper, and no nonsense
attitude toward work and such. Vanora stood and collected the
plates and made ready to carry them to the kitchen to be
washed. No, she didn't want to be involved in this....though
something bothered Mirtha as well. Hung over? That might have
been. She met Tati's eyes as she made ready to leave...

Tatiana
 
"Thanks again, Vanora. You helped me understand what
happened. Its very much appreciated."


"It...was no problem..." Vanora replied rather unsure if the
girl had heard her or not as Tatiana had already left the
tavern. Turning back to Mirtha, she said, "Well, you handled
that with a lot of tact, Mirtha." Vanora gave him a smile to
let him know she was joking, then indicated the still hot
plate of food on the counter. "Found you more than just bread
and water...hard working man like yourself needs to keep up
his strength...." She moved back over to the kitchen and
deposited the dishes into the tub, then came out to stand
behind the counter to draw some ale for two more customers...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Kayla
Date: Sat May 03, 2008 5:31 pm

Fiona


At least with her most recent question, about why he had let
her go in the woods last spring instead of taking the
opportunity to kill her, like she had expected him and any
other knight to, his predatory stance shifted a little bit.
Fiona relaxed slightly, her hand resting on her stomach as she
leaned against the wall. She was a curious human being and she
hoped that any of her questions hadn't been so forward that he
thought less of her. Not that she knew what he thought of her
anyway but she assumed that maybe he didn't like her much,
simply because she was a woad. How mistaken she was in that
thinking, she couldn't be sure but it wasn't like he had
exactly come out and told her. And she didn't expect him to
either.

Tristan
 
"You were a child. No more."


It was an answer she, deep-down, had half-way expected from
him. There was no other reason for him to have let her go,
besides the fact that she had been and still was young. Fiona
didn't know how to respond to that, so she simply nodded, a
pondering expression on her face. Did he still think of her as
a child? She was growing up, that much was certain and there
were still things that she didn't know about the world but she
hoped no one viewed her as still being a child. The woad
watched as he turned away from her, her blue eyes staring at
his retreating back as he walked away and another man grabbed
his attention and began talking to him. Tilting her head to
the side, her expression turned neutral, as she was unsure
what to make of her encounter with the stoic knight. Shifting
from foot to foot, Fiona herself decided to retreat from atop
the parapet, moving towards the steps she had previously
climbed and starting to make her way towards the tavern.

Close to the door, however, she heard a noise from behind the
door and the woad jumped slightly, her eyes curiously fixed on
the building as she neared closer to it. Before Fiona could
walk in, however, Adian stormed out, the look on his face
barely recognizable from when she had first seen him. She gave
a small gasp, first surprised to see that he was back from
wherever the woads had been keeping him and second because of
the look he had, like he was heartbroken. Her own heart sank,
as she briefly wondered if he had heard about Thorn. She
called out to him softly, but he didn't seem to hear her and
kept walking. Fiona glanced at the tavern and decided that
eating could wait; she had to see what was wrong. Pulling her
cloak around her, she followed him, on his heels the entire
way, trying to keep up with his quick pace. She called his
name a couple of times but he didn't respond, making her all
the more worried. Was he hurt at all? She hadn't seen him
since before the attack and his capture.

The two finally reached his quarters and she stopped for a
moment to catch her breath. "Adian," she questioned, one last
time as her eyes watched him carefully and almost warily.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: linnet
Date: Sat May 03, 2008 8:05 pm
Mother Lavinia


If Lavinia had the kind of heart that could be broken, it
would have shattered over the pain she’d had to cause the Woad
child. The girl had been showing signs of trusting her as she
was washed, only to be hurt when she didn’t expect it. But the
nun had no other choice as a healer. The shoulder needed to be
popped back into place, and this might have been the only
opportunity Lavinia would get. Now the girl wailed pitiably,
to the point of tears. If Lavinia was the comforting type,
she’d have tried to hold the child and reassure her that the
hurt would stop soon and everything would be alright. Instead
she kept her composure and addressed Neeria. “Her shoulder had
to be fixed. It hurts now, but not for much longer, once the
shock wears off.”

She was about to tell her assistant, who was still wide-eyed
from the whole spectacle, to go and bring some food for Neeria
and the girl, when there was a knock at the door of the small
room. With a quick glance to make sure she knew where the
child was first, Lavinia opened the door. One of her staff
stood holding a tray of food and drink, as if the nun’s
thoughts had summoned it from beyond. The helper explained
that the tray had been found just inside the infirmary
entrance, and what should she do with it? Lavinia gave a
critical once-over to the contents, determining that
everything was fresh and healthy and untouched. She took
control of the tray and set it on the small bedside table.
“You both need to eat,” she said to Neeria, who looked very
weary. “Then rest. We’ll leave you alone now. If you need
anything, ask the guard outside the door to fetch a healer.
Come,” she ordered the assistant. She held the door for the
other woman to exit, and followed. She left orders with the
guard that no one was to disturb the patients without her
permission.

Then she started toward her little office, where she hoped to
have a few minutes of peace and quiet. Halfway there, Lavinia
suddenly halted and turned around. She hurried back to the
Woads’ room as quick as her aching feet would go, which was
remarkably fast for her age. She opened the door and went
directly to the supply stand. She gathered up the assortment
of medical instruments that she’d forgotten about, telling
Neeria that she was sorry to disturb her, but that she needed
to take these things with her. The nun understood that the two
patients were prisoners after all, and giving them access to
sharp weapon-like objects might only lead to trouble. Trouble
for Lavinia as much as anyone. She left with a handful of
blades and probes and scrapers. She was relieved that
everything seemed to be accounted for. She’d only been out of
the room for a couple of minutes. Hardly enough time for
anything to have been taken.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Sat May 03, 2008 8:37 pm
Adian


He fled from the tavern and through the courtyard leaving
those in the tavern behind. All he could hear in his head was
the sound of Thorn's voice....seeing her wheat colored hair
shining in the sunlight....the smells of her entire
being...Sweet earthy smells. Her eyes. Soulful and always
searching deeper into his own soul....making him want her. He
thought he had heard another voice calling to him, but did not
really register who it was that was calling after him though
the the voice sounded familiar. Adian felt like the past week
had just flown by like some blurred dream: Juna....the
woads...Merlin....his freedom....Thorn's death. His shoulder
was still wrapped neatly, and there was slight pain, but then
he had not really worked it except for now that he was
running....

Was someone following him?

Adian finally reached his quarters...their quarters that they
had shared. He entered the room, but had not bothered to close
the door. He stopped in the middle of the room as if stunned,
and did not move. he hated crying as it was a sign of
weakness, but the tears brimmed in his eyes anyway: tears of
sorrow for his loss, but also hate. Had she had to die so
needlessly? It was not needless to try to save a life, but
just to be struck down by some woad...not even caring if there
was a child involved or not. He felt cold, as well as the tear
that ran down his face. He heard the footsteps stop in front
of the door....

Fiona
 
"Adian,"


....He did not answer her, but lifted his face to the ceiling
and then turned to face Fiona. 'so sweet...she was soo
upstandingly sweet...we were going to marry...." His voice
choked. 'Did you know she was with child, and the woads didn't
even care?! They just struck her and the boy she tried to
save....they killed them both!" His voice rose slightly as he
stared at Fiona whom he knew to be a woad....but not like
them.

Turning, he moved to the bed and sat down with his head in his
hands, "Why Fiona? Why?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: sabor ice
Date: Sat May 03, 2008 8:40 pm
Cáel


It had been an interesting night, to say the least.

Cáel was a drinking man. He preferred the finest of wines, the
best money could buy, but he was also quite partial to spicy
ale. It took the sting out of life, and always left him in a
grand mood. Cáel could hold his liquor - to an extent - but
like any other man, he was only human. He had celebrated
hardcore with himself for at least an hour and a half the
previous night, just thinking about all of the money he would
soon pocket, and dreaming about all of the glorious luxuries
he would buy when he got home - and the men, the men he would
dazzle with all things divine! Condescending to his nature,
Cáel was quite the generous lover, in more ways than one.

The man had slept well, like a rock in fact. He'd awoken
early, despite his midnight romping, and managed to relieve
himself without slopping too terribly - Cáel had tried to
write his name in the snow, but by time he'd reached the
letter 'e,' he was bone dry. By time his mind had computed
that fact, however, Cáel had unconsciously jerked himself to
completion, his hand plastered in a warm stickiness. Most
unsanitary, although he had to admit to himself that he felt
ninety percent better because of it.

His riding was no longer as hasty as it had been the past
couple of days. The fort was in sight down the road, and he
had still needed a bit of time to get his head together. There
was no possible way to believably masquerade about while his
thoughts were swimming.

Perhaps it was just paranoia creeping up on him, or the
alcohol whispering into his ear, but Cáel could've sworn he
had seen human-like shadows amongst the trees. He turned in
his saddle to survey his surroundings, not paying attention in
his half-drunk stupor. Betelgeuse's behind bumped up as he
aimed to miss a fallen log on the road, Cáel dropping off the
side of the steed like a dying fly plummeting to the ground.
Betelgeuse paused, side-glancing its fallen master, releasing
an exaggerated whinny, almost as if it was laughing. When the
rider failed to climb back into the saddle the first two
times, the horse seemed to snicker in mild amusement. The
third time was a charm - well partially - for Cáel had managed
to mount his horse, but backwards. Betelgeuse trotted onward
with no command from his master, Cáel gripping the back of the
saddle a bit unsteadily, but bellowed out no coherent
complaint.

"Weeel be thur in no time..." Cáel prattled on sluggishly, and
pat Betelgeuse's multi-colored rump (thinking it was the
horse's head).
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Kayla
Date: Sat May 03, 2008 9:35 pm

Fiona


Fiona did not know what compelled her to follow Adian, other
than to see what was wrong and to make sure that he was
alright, which he obviously wasn't. The woad didn't know what
she would be able to do for him, but she at least had to see
before she hurried off anywhere else. Ever since she had
sparred with the man, she had felt like they might become or
even already be friends, part of what made her so concerned
about him at this point in time and when he had been captured.
There had been no telling how he would have come out of that
situation if her father hadn't been able to ask her about the
truth of his words and whether the man had saved her or not.

So, Fiona followed him, her expression sincerely concerned as
she continuously looked at him, trying to catch up so that she
could see the look on his face. They reached his quarters
sometime afterwards and she slowed down as he moved into his
home, not knowing if she was actually allowed in there.

Adian
 
"So sweet...she was soo upstandingly sweet...we were
going to marry....did you know she was with child, and
the woads didn't even care?! They just struck her and
the boy she tried to save....they killed them both!"


Fiona flinched just slightly at his words, both because of
hearing how Thorn had died and hearing the way his voice
changed when he spoke of the woads killing her and his child.
The tears rolling down his face were heartwrenching and she
instantly wanted to pull him into a hug, or offer him some
kind of comfort, even though she thought that it wouldn't do
much good. He had lost a loved one and that was never an easy
thing to deal with. And, on top of that, he had lost the child
that Thorn had been carrying, an additional weight to carry.
She had to wonder if he placed any of the blame on her - it
was the woads, after all, that had killed her and she was one
of them. But she would have never wanted any of this to happen
and this was a perfect example of why she didn't want to fight
- too many innocents lost.

Adian
 
"Why Fiona? Why?"


"I don't, -" she paused for a moment, feeling a bit uneasy as
she cautiously entered through the doorway of his quarters,
closing it behind her. "I don't know," Fiona finished, her
head shaking sadly. She didn't know what to do to make any of
this right. "I'm so sorry," she told him, her eyes trying to
catch his, the sincerity practically overflowing from them.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Sat May 03, 2008 10:46 pm
Neeria


Neeria struggled to lift her upper body and reach for Eala,
her eyes bugged out at seeing the pained expression on the
child's face. Neeria frantically tapped her chest and beckoned
for Eala to come to her but the child cowered, quivering
underneath the other bed.

Mother Lavinia
 
Her shoulder had to be fixed. It hurts now, but not for
much longer, once the shock wears off.


Neeria looked at the nun and even though the woad understood
why the healer did what she did, Neeria was concerned that the
effect may traumatize the child even farther. Neeria was also
concerned that Eala had lost all sense of trust, especially
now, that surely, the girl felt betrayed.

Neeria looked down with pleading eyes at the younger female
who was sobbing like a wounded creature.

"I'm so sorry, Eala. Come to me!" Neeria said frantically,
knowing Eala couldn't hear her. She moved her lips slowly,
"Come-to-me!"

Just then another healer came into the room with a tray of
food. While the nun spoke briefly with her assistant, Neeria
looked at Eala and smiled. She touched her fingertips to her
thumb and put them up to her mouth and made exaggerated
chewing motions with her mouth. She rubbed and patted her
belly with her other hand. Neeria hoped the food would lure
the child from underneath the bed.

Mother Lavinia
 
You both need to eat, then rest. We’ll leave you alone
now. If you need anything, ask the guard outside the
door to fetch a healer.


Neeria thanked the old woman again just as she walked through
the door with her assistant. The aroma of the hot food hit
Neeria's stomach with a mighty punch. The woad was famished.
She picked up a piece of bread, pulled it apart and greedily
shoved it into her mouth. Neeria then extended her hand,
offering Eala a piece, hoping the girl would come out from her
hiding place. But when Neeria looked to Eala, the child was
looking at something else. Neeria turned her gaze to see what
it was Eala was staring at wide eyed and with her mouth open.
The older woad suddenly gasped when she saw the shiny blades
laid out neatly on the medical table. Neeria looked back at
Eala. Her black eyes were fixated on the blades and there was
a snarl on her face.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Sun May 04, 2008 2:20 am
Eala


Neeria
 
"Come to me"


Her lips moved slow enough, and exaggerated enough, that Eala
deciphered each and every word. She wasn't convinced though!
Not by half. Her wild black eyes were filled with tears which
she tried not to let fall. She was a warrior! Not a silly
little child! That's what Ash would say to her. Eala was not
entirely sure that Neeria had been innocent in the pain that
had been inflicted on her. Suspicion, mistrust - it all seeped
from Eala's shattered heart as she looked around the room,
ignoring Neeria's attempt to lure her out with the prospect of
food. She still cradled her sore shoulder.

The nun left... Eala only realised when she tilted to one side
and looked around, all around, and saw no other people there.
Her eyes immediaetly darted up to the shelf where the shiny
tools were. Blowing out a breath, Eala scrabbled from under
the bed, donned the tunic which came to her thin knees, and
scarpered towards the blades, despite Neeria's protests. She
clutched her little hand around a knife, what looked like a
knife at least, and turned with a savage smile to Neeria. She
then grabbed another knife, a bigger one, and ran over to
Neeria, shoving it towards the woman. But the door opened.
Eala saw it out of teh corner of her eye and she whipped
around, darting behind Neeria.

Once again Eala clutched onto Neeria's hip, looking around the
woman's arm as the nun gathered teh tray. Eala glowered at her
until she left the room and then tried to give the knife to
Neeria again, gesturing towards the door with her own smaller
knife to indicate that they wuold fight their way out of the
place. Her pale face was drawn but it lacked no strength.









Catherine

Gawain
 
“I’ll get you some tea of your own, I added some stuff
in this batch that made it taste like shit, but I don’t
think it will hurt you.”


Well, if she had known that beforehand she may not have had a
sup. Catherine shut her eyes, a smile spreading across her
pretty red lips and she shook her head, amused. She looked
down at the cup between Gawain's hands and shrugged with a wry
smile. What was done, was done.

"So far so good." she spoke in a low tone, leaning across the
table a fraction towards the ale. She was playing the whore
right now, thinking that Gawain, deep down, wanted a whore to
be sitting across from him. Catherine was usually right about
these things, her green eyes, though hazy in appearance, were
piercing. She prided herself on being able to read people
better than they could read themselves. Though in this
situation she was using alot of her prior knowledge of Gawain,
and it turned out she was using that unfairly.

When his eyebrows lifted Catherine breathed a laugh. She
clicked her tongue and looked down at the table. She placed
her elbow on the wood and balanced her chin into her hand,
running her little finger across her bottom lip slowly. When
she looked back at Gawain, her eyes were narrowed, trying to
see through her own pre-conceptions of him. She saw the
dawning on his face and straightened, her hands slowly
lowering to the table as she looked at him expectantly.

Gawain
 
“Do you know where Jutland is?”


Catherine continued to look at Gawain with wide, expectant
eyes. She blinked and her shoulders sagged - though not
because she was disheartened, it had more to do with the fact
that she was genuinely surprised, taken aback. Her lips
twitched to answer and then slowly curled upwards in a stunned
smile.

"I ... I do. North. It's cold up there." she said hesitantly,
but amused and interested. She spread one hand across the
table to Gawain's teacup and dipped a perfect digit into it
without taking her green eyes from this strange knight. She
thought she had had him, she thought she knew what he wanted
from her but ... he wanted something from her that no other
men did. Her brain.

For a whore, Catherine was intelligent. Not in the manner of
literature, philosophy or religion - she was intelligent in
real life, in the world around her. Her mind was an amazing
thing, able to retain information spoken to her only once and
she used that information to build up an image of the world
and it's people.

THAT was her true love in life. That was her aim in life.

With a wet index finger, Catherine drew a blob on the table.
"That is Britain.. Hibernia here..." she drew a blob beside
Britain, of a similar size for she was not certain just how
much of a difference there was between these places, only that
they existed and a round about idea of where they existed.
"Jutland is ... up here... with land all h... why do you want
to know this?" she finally laughed, biting her bottom lip
beautifully, her damp finger still poked into the table
somewhere around Jutland in the north of Europe. A strand of
blonde hair fell down over her forehead giving her pretty face
a rather coy, modest look.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Darya
Date: Sun May 04, 2008 2:48 am
Neeve & Darya


Neeve frowned at Arthur when the Roman stood from the bed. She
found herself briefly concerned about the stitching she had
done last night and her blue eyes darted towards the
Commander’s side to see if any blood would appear. But Arthur
subtly covered the wound with one of his hands and a corner of
Neeve’s mouth twitched slightly as she shook her head to
herself. Smart move, Arthur, but it’s not changing the fact
that you still won’t go anywhere any time soon, the Briton
thought before her attention was back on the heated
conversation between the two Romans. She did, however,
constantly watch the Commander from the corner of her
eyes…which she considered part of her duty.

Darya held her breath when Arthur suddenly moved to stand from
the bed. She could see why he did it…but would have preferred
for her lover to not move at all. And her concerned could not
even be overpowered by the pride she felt while watching him
calmly but firmly putting the Optio into his place again… The
younger Roman was definitely overstepping not just one but
several lines here… And she did not like the way the
conversation was going…even though she did learn more details
about what else had happened during the attack…

Then…

Lancelot
 
"Arthur… The Optio Scipio is right - in this regard. The
Woads are not to be trusted - or didn't you realize this
when they took me? I still think you need to allow
someone else - if not me, perhaps him to go to see the
Magician. You are not well."


Amadeus Scipio
 
"As Rome's officially declared second to your command,
Commander, it would only be fit that I go to Merlin.
Lancelot is right. You are not a fool. And you are ill,
Arthur."


Finally something Darya as well as Neeve agreed on. Especially
the Sarmatian could not help but be glad to hear those words.
She had wanted the Optio to ride into the battle against the
Saxons in the first place already…and told Arthur that much.
Granted, it had been for different reasons…but still… Then
Neeve stood from her chair and turned her sharp blue gaze
towards Arthur. “I know you don’t want to hear this,
Commander”, the raven-haired said, “…but as your healer, I,
too, can only agree with the Optio and your First Knight on
this. You are not in the condition to face the Woads again… It
would be irresponsible of me to approve you riding out so
soon. Commander or not…” Okay, the Briton might have
overstepped a line here, too…but she knew how stubborn Arthur
could be and she would never forgive herself if anything worse
would happen to him just because she had not done everything
in her powers to keep him where he belonged at the moment: in
bed, resting.

Darya somehow did not like the Optio’s tone as he spoke the
last words about Arthur’s condition…but she discarded those
thoughts pretty soon. She pushed herself away from the
window-sill and dared a small step forward…but just when the
dark-haired wanted to add something to the discussion as well,
a firm knock at the door could be heard…and she closed her
mouth again without a single word having left it, glancing at
the door instead as she did so…
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Sun May 04, 2008 9:58 am
Neeria


Neeria's eyes widened when Eala grabbed the lethal looking
shining blades off the table and thrust one outward for Neeria
to take.

"Eala!" Neeria whispered. The older reached out to take the
blade from the girl when the nun suddenly came back into the
room. Neeria gasped and Eala jerked her arm behind her back,
scooting back around the bed, clutching onto Neeria again.
Both woads froze as the nun moved across the room to collect
the blades she'd obviously forgotten. Neeria held her breath,
knowing that surely the Roman would notice some of the blades
missing. Instead, the old nun wrapped them up, tucked them
under her arm and left the room.

As soon as the door closed behind the old woman, Neeria
grabbed Eala by her skinny arm and pulled her around in front
to face her. Eala's eyes were black and shiny, excited at
having confiscated the weapons, the pain in her shoulder long
forgotten. The child started to bounce on the balls of her
feet, thrusting the knife in the air as though stabbing
someone.

Neeria put her hand on the girl's shoulder to calm her down
and then put a skinny finger up to her own lips to indicate to
Eala to be quiet. Neeria took the longer knife from the girl
and smiled, looking around frantically for a place to conceal
it. She made a motion with her hand - palm down pushing toward
the floor - then pointed out the window at the sky. She was
trying to tell Eala they must wait to make a move. Eala seemed
to understand, but Neeria wasn't sure. She could only hope.
For the time being, the older woad slipped the long blade
under her thigh until she could think of plan and then try to
communicate it to Eala.

"We-must-eat-and-rest-to-gain-strength," she mouthed slowly to
the girl. Then the older woad grabbed the bread again and
shoved another piece into her mouth, handing Eala a piece.
"Eat!" she told the girl. Then Neeria extended the fingers of
her left hand and touched her chin. Then struck her chest and
raised her arm. It was the sign of unity shown by female
warriors as they headed to battle.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Sun May 04, 2008 10:24 am

Arthur


Scipio seemed to be challenging Arthur with his indignant gaze
while the Commander answered his accusations; all steely cold
eyes and a smug expression that Arthur found himself becoming
more insulted by the minute. Arrogance was it? Perhaps Arthur
had misjudged this one, again he had placed his trust in the
man’s background and rank. Arthur should have learned his
lesson from the last Optio…..pedigree and rank would never
prepare any one man for true leadership and skills in warfare.

Lancelot
 
"Arthur, The Optio, Scipio is right - in this regard.
The Woads are not to be trusted - or didn't you realize
this when they took me? I still think you need to allow
someone else - if not me, perhaps him, to go to see the
Magician. You are not well. This is a fool's errand. And
you, Artos, are no fool."


Artos?

Arthur’s intense emerald eyes snapped to Lancelot at hearing
the man address him by a childhood endearment. Why had he
chosen….no matter, it was not important at this very moment.
Arthur knew Lancelot was attempting to persuade him in his
decision. And remembering exactly what had happened while
Merlin had possession of Lancelot meant that Arthur would
never allow his lieutenant to ride out to meet the Woad
leader. Arthur would not risk Lancelot….never again. And then
Amadeus, seemingly not to be outdone by the Sarmatian,
interjected his own opinion….

Amadeus
 
"As Rome's officially declared second to your command,
Commander, it would only be fit that I go to Merlin.
Lancelot is right. You are not a fool. And you are ill,
Arthur."


Send a ‘Fool’ on the fool’s errand…..and risk destroying
everything while protecting those that I hold dear. Arthur was
thinking as Amadeus spouted his rather surprising agreement to
Lancelot’s argument. But the Commander was not listening to
the actual words….he was hearing what he thought was the
blatant accusation and disrespect behind Amadeus’ statement.
Despite his weakened physical state, Arthur was still in
command here…still had his wits about him and God may damn
him, but Arthur would not allow some self-righteous little
bastard with little real experiences fighting along Rome’s
farthest outposts instruct him on how to proceed here. In
Arthur’s eyes, Amadeus had not ‘earned’ that right.

Neeve
 
“I know you don’t want to hear this, Commander, …but as
your healer, I, too, can only agree with the Optio and
your First Knight on this. You are not in the condition
to face the Woads again… It would be irresponsible of me
to approve you riding out so soon. Commander or not…”


Arthur turned a stony expression on Neeve, meeting her blue
eyes with crystal clear determination. She was of course
correct, but Arthur was not going to admit it in front of the
present company…at least not yet.

“Ladies, will you please excuse us now, hm?” Arthur calmly
stated despite the anger that had flared up within him. He
briefly glanced to Darya as well, silently apologizing. But
business was taking precedence over the much needed quiet time
with his lover. He’d rest after this matter with Merlin was
settled. “Neeve, I thank you for your splendid care and I
would ask that you return with whatever else you feel
necessary…later,” Arthur finished addressing the healer with a
small appreciative nod. Neeve would understand why Arthur was
dismissing her at the moment. The ‘conversation’ with his
officers was becoming heated and he wished to spare the ladies
the unpleasantries. Arthur trusted Darya to also understand
this.

The brief tangible silence in the room was shattered by a
resounding knock at the door.

Arthur’s gaze returned to Amadeus and his green eyes
threatened to bore a hole through the other man’s skull. He
closed the distance between them with purposeful steps, albeit
slow as his bare feet padded on the tiled floor. His side
twinged and his head throbbed, but Arthur endured it…ignored
it. He held his head high and began to choose his words
carefully before speaking….before knocking Amadeus’ head off.

“I am glad that you recognize that I am no fool, Optio
Scipio,” Arthur began, the steel in his voice could shear hard
leather. He reached up and firmly grasped at the join of
Amadeus’ neck and shoulder; thick fingers bordering on leaving
a lasting mark there.

“You would do well to remember who is in command here, sir,”
Arthur spoke quietly yet with no less authority into Amadeus’
ear; his breath hot and angry on the tender fleshy lobe.

“One more word in indignation, and I will have you placed in
the stocks for insubordination. Are we clear? Choose your next
words…carefully,” He finished and then allowed his fingers to
release their firm grip on the other man’s shoulder. Arthur then took a single step back from Amadeus; intense emerald eyes giving one last warning to the other man to remember his place. Then Arthur briefly looked to Lancelot, an unspoken reprimand for his lieutenant to hold his tongue for the moment as well. But Arthur doubted that was possible, knowing Lancelot.

A lesser man would not have risen to such an occasion…but
Artorius Castus was no ordinary man. He thrived on a challenge
and could live alone on his sheer willpower and determination.
It would take more than a dagger wound and a little blood loss
to take Arthur out of contention to remain in his role as
‘Commander’. Blame it on the adrenalin pumping fiercely
through his veins, blame it on the life force that drove him
and his unwavering faith and sense of duty….Arthur would not
sit idly by while others decided the fate of this fortress and
the people in Arthur’s charge.

“Come!” Arthur then called out to whoever had knocked moments
ago. One hand remained carefully placed over his aching side
while the other rested firmly on his right hip.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Free Forums. Reliable service with over 8 years of experience.
Learn More · Sign-up Now
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Vincit Omnia Veritas · Next Topic »
Add Reply

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