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 (3,633 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Sat May 10, 2008 3:34 pm
Catherine


Gawain
 
“You don’t sound silly, Catherine,”


Catherine's spread fingers came together slowly and she
trailed them down to her chin where she gently cupped the side
of her neck. She still looked nervous and embarrassed about
what she had said, so revealing of her nature. The very nature
that she tried to hide because it was not accepted for a whore
to have dreams. Or knowledge. But she did appreciate his
gesture, telling her she did not sound silly. Her bottom lip
was caught sweetly between her teeth and she blushed -

"I feel silly..." She whispered with a tiny laugh. The blonde
lifted her hazy green eyes to Gawain and saw that he was
smiling at her. This was new territory for Catherine. Normally
she was being 'something' or 'someone' for men. She didn't get
to be herself much at all. So much so that being herself felt
foreign, it felt like an act.

Gawain
 
“Where are lands of black winters and summers without
night? Where do women with metal piercing their bodies
live? How did you learn of these things? Show me.”


Her laugh was louder now, her eyes glittering with amusement
and relief that he was interested in hearing more. Now that
she had started, the blonde was eager to continue. And yet she
was also aware of the time - knowing she had an appointment
with the Scout at noon. The woman looked up at teh serving
woman who brought the tea, she smiled in thanks and wrapped
one hand around the cup, the other still idly tracing faint
lines on the Knight's hand.

"Well... " Catherine began, taking a breath and getting more
comfortably in her seat. She felt strange talking about such
things - flirting came so easy to her because she had been
using it for years. And she had learned all of this from men
she had slept with - that was going to be embarrassing to
admit but she would get to it. Narrowing her eyes, Catherine
dipped her finger into her tea with a wry smile at Gawain, a
sultry, soft set to her lips as she drew an odd shaped blob
beneath where Britain had been on the table.

"It's down here... Ahm, the Romans once attacked here.. I
think it was here, well, anyway. The place was called
Carthage. That is where the people have skin as dark as
night." Catherine said, tilting her head to the side, a strand
of blonde hair falling down over her shoulder. Her eyes had a
far-away look to them until she shook her head, casting a wary
look up at Gawain.

"As for your eternal day and night-- that happens, I am told,
" she added with an impish smile, " if you are in the extreme
north, or south... " her moist finger trailed upwards and then
downwards slowly, her green eyes watching the line it made.
This was the harder part - though it should have been easy.
"And as for how I know these things ... " Catherine laughed
uneasily, flicking her fingernails against each other before
lifting her hand to toy with her hair again, forcing herself
to meet Gawain's eyes.

But when she did, her tactics changed. Perhaps she chickened
out... or perhaps she just wanted to give Gawain precisely
what he asked. 'Show me'.

Catherine's smile changed - it became softer, her eyes more
hazy, hooded.

"Tell me about your home Gawain... please? Tell me about
Sarmatia... about your people?" the woman whispered, wondering
if he would realise that these very tricks of beauty and
seduction were how she attained all the information she had
just divulged to him.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Sat May 10, 2008 5:13 pm
Linnesse


Derfel
 
“Oh, luv, I was ‘properly’ welcomed home the moment you
smiled at me. I could not wait to see your pretty face
again after all that had happened…you rest now, hm?
Thirsty? Need anything to eat?”


“Mmm…there’s water, right?” Linnesse raised her head from the
pillow and craned in inquiringly around so that the pitcher on
the dresser came within her line of sight, even though of
course from the bed she could not see its contents. She
thought she remembered there still being water in it this
morning, though. Yes…she was sure that they had not used it up
just yet.

“That’s enough…’m not hungry…just tired.” Linnesse gave Derfel
a sheepish smile as she lay back on the bed, squirming her
body around a bit under the blankets, snuggling into the most
comfortable position. Her head felt heavy and stuffed, but not
with illness- just genuine, honest, fatigue. Derfel was right-
sleep was what she needed. All else would have to wait- though
she was determined to make that ‘proper’ welcome as soon as
she possibly could. She opened her eyes- they had half closed
without her even realizing it- and blew Derfel a kiss from
across the room, a kiss of affection and thanks.

“I’ll be here, love,” she assured him, before her eyes drifted
comfortably closed again.











Linnette

Arthur
 
“Speaking of God’s will…it seems that I shall be
primarily confined to my quarters for the immediate
future. If you would be so kind as to have Vanora bring
me the ledgers from the tavern, I will gladly see to
them personally, giving you a reprieve from that
particular task for as long as you need.”


Linnette couldn’t help it; her mouth actually dropped open at
that extraordinary statement of Arthur’s, the shock of it
cutting through the near tears. Arthur- the Commander of the
entire fortress of Badon Hill, a fortress at war, and on his
convalescent bed to boot- lowering himself to do the ordinary,
day-to-day record keeping of the tavern?? No- it was
unthinkable! She shook her head mutely, forcing her mouth
closed and feeling, on top of everything else, her cheeks
starting to burn. To have Arthur Castus himself, wounded as
she now knew he was, doing her work for her, was about the
greatest shame she could imagine right now, and she silently
swore to herself that it would not happen, even if she had to
work all night tonight, even if she had to pry the ledgers out
of the Commander’s hands herself.

“No…that won’t be necessary, Commander,” she heard her voice
saying, the words tight and forced. She shook her head
vehemently again, unable to raise her eyes to look at him,
dreading what he might say next. Fortunately, though- thanks
to God for small blessings!- he made no argument with her
refusal, only stepped past her to open the door. He might have
said something more in farewell- Linnette was not even sure,
she only knew that blessedly, he was not offering to do her
any more “favors”. She, at any rate, could not answer him.

Because now she had to walk the gauntlet of the men still
waiting in the hall, and she needed all her concentration for
that. She wanted to run, run as far and as fast as she could
from all this, and to let the tears come and ease the ache in
her throat, but neither was acceptable now. She kept her face
determinedly down, eyes focused on the stones of the floor,
burning with suppressed tears as she tried to push the
shameful image of Arthur doing routine figures- her menial
work- from her mind. It wouldn’t completely go, and it was all
she could do not to quicken her pace too much, to keep herself
to a dignified walk as much as she could. The shoes she was
approaching now were Amadeus’s, she thought- and on the other
side of the hall were two that must be Lancelot’s and those of
the officer she did not know, and Drake’s beyond that. Just
past all that, and around the corner, and she could be alone,
let go of all this- that is, if nobody followed her.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: linnet
Date: Sat May 10, 2008 8:20 pm

Gawain


Gawain could see Catherine’s hesitancy begin to lift when he
asked her to tell him more about the lands she dreamed of. She
hadn’t seemed sure about sharing her feelings, repeating that
she felt silly doing so. He didn’t find it silly at all. He
wanted her to feel comfortable talking to him, because he
believed she had much to say that was worth listening to. She
interested him, and her dreams intrigued him. And her pleasure
in listening to his words made him think they could be good
company for each other.

Catherine
 
"Well... It's down here... Ahm, the Romans once attacked
here.. I think it was here, well, anyway. The place was
called Carthage. That is where the people have skin as
dark as night. As for your eternal day and night-- that
happens, I am told, if you are in the extreme north, or
south... "


Again he leaned over her makeshift illustration of the faraway
places she described. He especially was fascinated by the idea
of a land with eternal day or night. “We need to find a proper
map,” he said as the tea countries spread beyond their borders
and dried. He turned his attention from the table to
Catherine, smiling as an idea came to him. “Arthur has maps.
I’ll ask him if we can look at them sometime.” He had noticed
the far-away look in her eyes as her elegant finger traced her
longings. He knew exactly how it felt to dream of something at
least different, if not better.

Catherine
 
"And as for how I know these things ... Tell me about
your home Gawain... please? Tell me about Sarmatia...
about your people?"


It was the drawn out begging “please?” that sent a deadening
chill through the knight. At first he only felt it, without
understanding. But as he watched, she transformed. Her
unguarded friendly expression was gone. Every feature, every
movement was sensual, seductive. His eyes narrowed and his
body tensed as the realization of what she was telling him
hit. This was how she learned about other places and people.
She was a whore not only for money, but for knowledge. She had
played him perfectly. She had gotten what she wanted, and
without even having to lift her skirt or spread her legs. He
must have been the easiest mark she had ever taken. She had no
more interest in him than any passing traveler who could give
her a good tale of adventure in exchange for her body. And if
it took a little charade of shyly sharing her own feelings in
return, well she could do that very convincingly.

Gawain didn’t want to look at her, but his eyes full of hurt
searched hers one last time. He withdrew his hand to the edge
of the table and pushed his chair back. He stood and tossed a
few coins on the table in front of her. “As for Sarmatia, I
don’t remember a fucking thing,” he said in a low voice,
looking down at her, before turning to leave. It was a lie of
course. But she would not need to waste her time using him in
the future.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 8:26 am
Derfel


Linnesse
 
“Mmm…there’s water, right?”


“Hm….should be,” Derfel answered and then stepped over to the
dresser to inspect the pitcher sitting on top of it. Sure
enough, it was still mostly full of water so he poured
Linnesse a cup and handed it to her.

Linnesse
 
“That’s enough…’m not hungry…just tired.”


“Be sure to drink it all down, luv. If I remember right, you
need to drink as much as you can to get better,” Derfel added
with a concerned expression while bending to retrieve his
sword belt from his pack on the floor. He had no real idea
what to expect today…another Woad attack? Surely the Commander
was taking care of that particular threat, but Derfel hadn’t
spoken to any of his fellow knights yet this morning…so he
felt completely in the dark about what dangers – if any – they
still faced. Best to be prepared, he thought as he strapped
Hywelbane to his waist and his dagger to his right thigh.

Linnesse
 
“I’ll be here, love,”


Sitting down on the edge of their bed, Derfel reached over and
gently brushed a long strand of hair out of Linnesse’s face.
He was loath to leave her…but Derfel felt he should look in on
Dagonet and certainly repay Lucius as promised.

“I’ll be returning as quick as I can. Sleep, luv,” Derfel
murmured and then bent down to place a soft kiss on Linnesse’s
lips. Her eyes were already closed and thus reinforcing the
fact that she needed quiet in order to rest. Derfel’s presence
would be of no real use to her for now. And if the fort did
fall under attack again, Derfel would be required to fight
again.

He stood up from the bed and watched Linnesse for a moment
longer, admiring her delicate features and beautiful golden
hair. I am the most fortunate man alive.

Derfel stepped towards the door and quietly slipped out of
their room. And once out in the hall, he found Lucius leaning
casually against the wall…presumably waiting for his promised
ale.

“Thirsty?” Derfel greeted the kind soldier with a pleasant
grin and gestured for Lucius to walk with him.

“I’m needin’ to look in on a friend in the infirmary…if you
don’t mind going in there,” Derfel said in explanation of why
he could not go directly to the tavern just yet. And he also
knew many a soldier and knight that had a strong aversion to
any houses of healing. So if Lucius was uncomfortable with it,
Derfel would simply agree to meet the man later.

“Come along with me and then I’ll make good on my offer in the
tavern, aye?” Derfel added with a wink and a friendly nod. He
had grabbed up his overcoat before slipping out of the room,
and now began to pull on the garment as they walked. No doubt
it was still raining outside.

“You off duty for the day? Any idea what’s going on with the
Woads?” Derfel queried, hoping Lucius had some news.












Arthur

The lady gave no reaction to Arthur’s hand on her shoulder,
nor did she accept his offered arm as they walked towards the
door. But the Commander took no offence as Linnette was in
mourning and could not be expected to be herself.

Linnette
 
“No…that won’t be necessary, Commander,”


Arthur’s eyebrows lifted at her refusal, but he would not
press the matter for now. The ledgers for the tavern were of
no real importance at the moment, he’d only hoped to give
Linnette time away from her responsibilities to mourn
properly; or in any manner she required.

“Take care, madam…thank you for hearing me out this morning,”
Arthur said quietly in parting as he opened the door for
Linnette who immediately swept out of his quarters and past
the men standing in the hallway. Arthur’s emerald eyes
lingered on the back of the woman’s head as she walked away.
Guilt at causing her so much pain threatened to choke him
again…but he exhaled and quelled the emotion before turning
his attentions to the men gathered in the corridor…thank God
Arthur saw no indication of any further trouble between
Lancelot and Amadeus.

“Gentleman, thank you for waiting…shall we continue?” Arthur
spoke in an authoritative tone; head held high despite the
ache in his side and in his heart. That mask of ‘Roman
Commander’ that he wore so eloquently was back place. He
turned and stepped back into his chambers assuming the three
officers would follow; his bare feet padding across the cold
stone floor as Arthur moved once again to the long table near
the hearth. His left hand never moved from over his stitches
and he actually prayed the remainder of this meeting would go
quickly and smoothly.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: SarmatianKnight
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 11:32 am
Lucius


Lucius waited indeed in front of the room, leaning casually
and with crossed arms against the wall. He did not just wait
because an ale had been promised by Derfel (but well, who was
he to reject such an invitation?) but also because they had
not said goodbye earlier and did not want to leave without
such a word. Derfel was a kind man and deserved respect.

Derfel
 
“Thirsty?”


As he was addressed directly Lucius looked up and returned the
smile while he joined Derfel on his way. "Always." This was
not really correct: he did not drink that much. The
conversation was not serious so who cared?

Derfel
 
“I’m needin’ to look in on a friend in the infirmary…if
you don’t mind going in there,”


"Not at all. I was there already today..." Lucius stopped just
in time to get out of the way of a feisty black cat crossing
their path, avoiding to step onto it. "Infirmaries are
interesting places, are they not? There is always something
you can learn." He really meant what he said and when he
realised that Derfel had just mentioned a friend was there he
wondered when (if at all!) he would realise when he talked too
much. Too much nonsense, to be correct. The other man found it
surely not interesting to see a good friend wounded and hurt
and in pain. Lucius tried to avoid Derfel's gaze and looked
away, clearing his throat. "Your friend... was he wounded
during the Woad attack?" This should have been the correct
question.

They stepped out into the rain and Lucius wondered with a
curse where the hell he had lost his own coat as it was still
raining and it was quite cold. He could not remember. Probably
that was when people started to say that they were getting
old. "That offer with the tavern sounds very promising, you
know?" he said when they passed the building on their way to
the infirmary.

Derfel
 
“You off duty for the day? Any idea what’s going on with
the Woads?”


In fact Lucius was not off duty at all. He should go back to
the Woad woman and bring her clothes and food but surely the
healers would keep her in the infirmary and he would check on
her later. He would do it when they reached the infirmary
anyway now. But he did not answer the question when Derfel
requested some news about the Woads. Lucius let out a
frustrated sigh. He was still angry about the way the had
treated the prisoners. "Oh yes, I have an idea." He sounded
slightly annoyed and did not realise that he was not answering
the question from Derfel at all who had asked for informations
about the Woads in general - surely. "They are treated like
beasts, are kicked, slapped and hurt - oh, and fed, of
course."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 1:37 pm
Titrus and Neeria


Titrus tightened his grip on the handle of his sword as he
entered the small medical room. The wild girl had spun around
and stalked, cat-like, back to the other woman, eating her
bread and watching him suspiciously.

Knowing the child couldn’t hear, Titrus knew from the other
woman that the girl read lips. Even though he was still
suspicious, Titrus made the decision to act as non-threatening
as possible. Straightening his back, he placed his sword back
into the sheath. Then he stepped fully inside the room and
closed the door behind him.

Ash! Neeria was watching Eala, trying to get her attention as
Titrus opened the door when she saw her comrade through the
small dirty window. It was Ash! Had he come to rescue them?
Neeria, as hard as it was, didn’t show her enthusiasm and
quickly looked back to the Roman soldier. Neeria watched with
trepidation as he came into the room and closed the door
behind him. She adjusted her thigh, making sure the large
blade wasn’t visible. The woad prayed that Eala wouldn’t let
on that Ash was outside, and fortunately the child turned
around and saw Titrus before she had a chance to really react
to seeing her fellow woadsman.

“I asked, ‘what is she doing?’” Titrus said, directing his
attention to Neeria.

Neeria’s eyes grew wide. She hadn’t heard him ask the first
time, she was so distracted at seeing Ash. She really did see
him didn’t she? Her mind wasn’t playing tricks was it?

The woman’s mind raced and came up with an explanation for
Eala’s, (who had retreated back to Neeria’s side), strange
behavior.

The woad woman blinked and said “uh, she was just acting out a
game that we used to play as children. I was trying to keep
her mind off her pain and to keep her entertained.”

Titrus narrowed his stare, not sure if he believed the woman
or not. She was, afterall, a lying, manipulative woad and
could not be fully trusted. The Roman took a step further,
closer to the bed.

Neeria slid her hand under her thigh just in case the man was planning to assault her. He was a filthy Roman and she hated the very sight of him. She would kill him, or at least try, if he tried to hurt either one of them.

Titrus extended his palm to show he held nothing and walked
closer to Eala.

The child looked craze, but to the lieutenant, she was still a
child. She was a victim, really, not of her own doing. Titrus
had 4 daughters of his own and he knew how he would feel if
she were his daughter in the same situation. Knowing he was
taking his chances, he moved even closer to her and got down
on one knee. Titrus, even though he was showing his humanity,
would not hesitate to kill her instantly if she tried
anything. He was hoping that she would not.

“My name is Titrus,” said slowly. “I will not hurt you, if you
do not hurt me. Do you understand?”

Neeria’s mouth flew open. She had not seen kindness from a
Roman yet this was the third kind thing this man had done.

“She can read lips, well,” Neeria said.

Titrus wasn’t sure if she understood or not but he rose from
his knee and walked, with his hands behind his back, one hand clasped over the other, around the bed and looked at Neeria. “You both are looking much better. The nun served you well.”

Neeria tried not to make a sound and she grabbed
Eala’s skinny wrist and shook her head furiously. She placed
her other finger up to own lips, indicated Eala to be quiet.

Then Titrus walked over to the window and peeked outside.

“It’s raining outside and rather cold. Be glad you’re in here
and not those nasty dungeons. It appears you have been
properly cared for. I’m sure Commander Castus will soon send
word as to what is to be done with you. Until then, I suggest
you continue to rest and heal yourself.”

After a moment, the soldier turned back around to face them.
His face revealed nothing. Neeria closed her eyes and silently
thanked Orius that the Roman had not seen Ash.

The lieutenant then headed toward the door.

















Mona

Mona’s back was stiff so she stretched her legs and arched her
back, lifting her arms high above her head. Guinevere had
gotten up and was pacing around, looking like she didn't know
what to do. You’re totally daft without your daddy here to
tell you what to do, aren’t you? Some princess! You’re aren’t
fit to lead the fleas in your bedroll! Mona stifled a chuckle
at Guinevere's apparent ineptness.

Finally, Guinevere stopped pacing and said:

Guinevere
 
We have no way of knowing.  Everything is dependent on Ash and how his mission fares. I think it would be wise if we included two of the men my father left behind in our little party


Mona froze. Shiete!! That would ruin everything! Maybe
Guinevere wasn’t as dumb as she acted. Maybe, Mona thought,
she is suspicious after all. Suddenly the healer spoke up.

Connell
 
"Lady, for certain there is protection in great numbers.
But I think-- and I could be mistaken, for you are far
greater practiced in fighting methods than I-- this may
be the time to cloak ourselves in secrecy and keep our
numbers small, less noticeable. It would be easier to
get us three inside, easier than five. And perhaps I am
rushing things in my impatience, but I don't think we
should wait too long. Neeria may be fighting for her
life even now. I say, we give it no more than a day for
the signal of the man inside. If we don't get it, we
need to devise our own plan. What do you say?


Mona could have clapped her hands gleefully and kissed the old
fool. But she didn’t. Instead, she said, modestly:

“Guinevere” with a soft chuckle, “for once I agree with the
healer. Besides, Merlin entrusted this mission to just the
three of us. Bringing in more people could be a serious
mistake, not to mention a possible breach in security. We
cannot put ourselves nor Ash at unnecessary risk." Mona almost
purred, "We are more than capable of handling any forces
against us. I don’t want my sister-in-arms to suffer not one
minute longer than necessary. We are close to the wall, we
will be there before dark or just after. We must be there to
receive Ash’s signal.”

Mona locked eyes with Guinevere, trying to look genuine.
Whatever suspicions Guinevere had, Mona must thwart them and
downplay her role. The woad got up from her place on the
ground and approached Guinevere, feigning total innocence.

“We are in this together, my sister.” With that, Mona touched
her chin, thumped her chest and raised her arm to show her
unity.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 3:12 pm
Amadeus and Drake


He was disgusting and filthy. By his very internal make-up,
this man was disgusting and repulsive to Amadeus. He was a
lesser breed of man. He was as useful as a rambunctious horse
which, had Amadeus been the owner, he would have turned into
steak long ago. To Amadeus Sarmatians were nothing more than
utensils with mouths and minds of their own - and what use was
a sword with a mind of it's own? No! Arthur's 'utensils' had
been allowed do as they pleased for long enough - Lancelot
would learn, be it the easy or hard way, who was boss. He
wuold learn that Rome Ruled All.

Lancelot
 
"As might any number of turncoats, You do realize one of
the Magician's leaders has been in this fortress before
- did you see her? Did you see Guinevere? Did Merlin
personally lead the attack?"


No... No he had not known that Guinevere had been in the
fortress! Arthur's careful covering of that fact had paid off
seemingly - but Amadeus did not let the surprise show on his
composed sharp face. He raised an eyebrow and that was all,
hsi lips pursing in cool ambiguity as a response.

"I would not known Merlin from Adam, Lancelot. I do not make
it my business to consort with the enemy... at least not and
let them live. Any woad that I encountered is laid bloody in
the pile of corpses outside the walls." the Optio replied
calmly. Now that he could see a way of utilising Lancelot's
impetuous nature he was feeling... cocky, confident in
himself. Arthur could not deny him some retribution - but
Amadeus would wait to choose what time to demand such a thing.
He would pick his timing carefully.... very carefully.

And at that moment the door opened.

The Spaniard was there all of a sudden, standing upright and
attentive, looking down at Linnette. Once again Amadeus
couldn't help but feel a little irked by the man's audacious
behaviour. Clearing his throat, Amadeus, oblivious to
Linnette's despair and need to be out of there, stepped
forward. He nodded once at Arthur in apology and took Linnette
to the side, a hand on her elbow gently.

Leaning his head down, the Optio frowned, looking at her pale
face.

"Linnette, my dear, there is something I needed to say to you
with immediate effect. I do apologise of the bad timing,
however - with the barracks being destroyed we are in need of
your quarters. Ahm... I can get my man to organise a room for
you elsewhere if you wish. A smaller room... of course."
Amadeus said with an ingratiating smile. He clicked his tongue
and looked up above Linnette's head towards Arthur, impatient
to be back to the meeting about Merlin.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: sabor ice
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 3:51 pm
Ash


Ash met Eala's gaze for the briefest of moments as she
unexpectedly turned to face the small window. She thumped a
hand against it - at the same time someone entered the room -
and Ash dipped from sight. He crouched unevenly, back half
against the wall, knuckles digging into the ground in mild
support. The abrupt twisting movement sent a sharp pain to
Ash's wounded side and silently he cursed. He angled one leg
out, straightening his left side a bit in attempt to ease the
strain on his flank.

He closed his dark eyes and concentrated intently on the
muffled voices inside, trying to decipher when the deeper,
huskier one would speak. After a short while, the man's voice
could no longer be heard, and slowly, cautiously, Ash turned
to peer inside of the window again. The soldier had gone. Eala
was slouched on the edge of Neeria's bed, and Ash slapped a
palm to the window to get her attention. He knew there was not
much time - that soldier or someone else would most likely
return at any moment, and he himself could not risk dallying
much longer outside the infirmary. The Woad pulled his face as
close to the window as possible, watching as Eala mirrored
him. For a moment he just stared at the girl, lips parting in
a heavy, but relieved sigh to see her alive. Then, his
features turned serious, to let her know to pay attention.

"Yes, I've come for you," he affirmed when her eyes brightened
expectantly, speaking slowly enough for Eala to read his lips
accurately. "Can you get away at all?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 4:09 pm
Eala


He may have taken teh chains from her legs once, but there was
no way of knowing if he would put them right back on again.
Eala was unsure about him - and she was not about to go
trusting him now just because he acted kindly. Her black eyes
narrowed as he moved towards her, his hand outstretched. Her
initial reaction was to reach for the knife, but when she took
a step backwards away from him, she staggered a little and
that one moment was enough to make her realise that now was
not the time.

The man got down on one knee and Eala stopped retreating. She
stood staring into his eyes without blinking, her nostrils
flared a little and her head pulled back.

Titrus
 
"My name is Titrus. I will not hurt you, if you do not
hurt me. Do you understand?"


The ten year old did understand. He made a point of speaking
slowly, clearly, his lips forming the words carefully. Eala
took in every word but did not answer him, instead watching
him cautiously as he rose to his feet and walked to the
window. She was just narrowing her suspicious black eyes at
the peaceful man when Neeria grabbed her wrist. Eala looked up
at the older woman swiftly, nodding her understanding before
looking back at Titrus with wide eyes.

"Ttttt..sss" Eala staggered the letter from her imperfect
lips, her nose wrinkled up as if she smelled something bad -
but it was just her effort to say the man's name. She sniffed,
shrugged her little shoulders and turned her head away,
leaning her cheek against Neeria's upper arm, her face towards
the window, her hand unconsciously twined with the woman's.
There was no rhyme or reasno for her trying to say Titrus'
name, only the fact that he had taken such pains to tell her
it.

She felt Neeria moving beside her and looked up at the woman,
then to the door where the soldier had left, then over to the
window just as Ash thumped it. Eala grinned in wild delight,
scarpering over to the window. She placed her hands up on
either side of it, smiling out at Ash. Oh she had never been
so happy to see anyone ever before! She scrunched her
shoulders up and looked over at Neeria to see if she was as
happy to see Ash! Quickly looking back to the window, the
blonde noted the change in his expression adn narrowed her
eyes on his lips, prepared for whatever he was to say.

For once Eala felt useful. They could not talk through the
window but she could read his lips and she could try make
herself understood to him in turn.

Ash
 
"Yes, I've come for you.  Can you get away at all?"


The girl's nose twitched and she moved one hand from the side
of the window to touch the window where Ash's lips were, her
brain working frantically to put meanings to the shapes that
his lips made. She got the message though and looked over at
Neeria, realised she couldn't communicate with her then looked
back at Ash irritably.

Biting her bottom lip, Eala shook her head. Stupidly she
didn't want to escape on Titrus' watch cause it would get him
in trouble. But she had an idea.

"Nigh!" she whined, attempting to say 'night' but falling a
little short. The word even sounded awkward on her tongue, as
if her tongue was too big for her mouth and she pointed up to
the sky, then clasped her hands together, placing them by the
side of her head as if she were sleeping. She snapped back to
attention to look at Ash then made a movement against her
stomach with a hand, making an ill looking face. She then
pointed behind her, indicating, awkwardly, the door to the
infirmary.

Roughly translated - Eala intended to feign illness tonight so
that someone would bring her and Neeria to the infirmary at
which point Ash could intervene and save them. Her eyes
brightened and she pulled the little knife from the place on
her thigh, pressing it to the window with a loud clang,
pointing at it with her other hand, a beaming smile on her
face, proud as a lion.















Catherine

Gawain
 
“We need to find a proper map, Arthur has maps. I’ll ask
him if we can look at them sometime.”


Too good to be true!

Catherine's eyes were practically glinting with amazement that
Gawain would ask Commander Castus, or Arthur as he so casually
refered to him, for a look at his map! The thoughts of being
allowed near a real map that a Roman Commander might possess
was like a dream for her. A dream that she dare not believe to
come true. She breathed a laugh, giving her head a rueful
shake before continuing with her explanation, knowing it would
put a death knell on their conversation.

Gawain
 
“As for Sarmatia, I don’t remember a fucking thing,”


And whilst she knew it would be a death knell, she wasn't
expecting the intense shame, embarrassment and woeful regret
that filled her every pore when he stood up, obviously
displeased at her.

The blonde flinched as the coins hit the table, her shoulders
jumping in surprise and the tendons in her neck straining
against her pale skin in worry over what was to happen next.
He was obviously angry with her, angry that she had deceived
him, perhaps?

His harsh words were met with a nervous movement of her hand,
pulling a strand of hair forward over her chin as her fingers
touched her upper lip nervously. Her green eyes were looking
down at the coins on the table uncertainly and she could not
bear to look up at his face, knowing that his face, which had
been so attentive and pleased with her for knowing what she
knew, and sharing it, wuold be furious and indignant.

Catherine swallowed hard, her breath shaky and her swallows
coming awkward, hard and noisily. It took a moment for her
limbs to stop quivering and she felt tears prick the edges of
her vision.

That feeling of 'dirty' was so prominent in her right now, the
feeling of being less than human was so strong that she almost
upped and ran out of the tavern there and then.

Yes, too good to be true.

The blonde tensed her jaw and her shaky hand reached forward
to pluck the extra change from the coins Gawain had tossed
down. She felt so wrong for doing it, but she was a whore - he
had used her time. She would give it willingly but she knew
that her mother would find out of it sooner or later and
demand to know why she had not gotten some coin from him.
There was enough on the table for the food and drinks that
they had had together.

Catherine glanced over her shoulder just in time to see Gawain
stalk out of the place and she groaned quietly, shutting her
eyes and laying her head down on the table.

"Mistake... bad mistake..." she whispered to herself. She then
sat up, tossing her head back, her face immaculately composed.
She had an idea... it would mean a loss to herself but it
might mean she would be able to look at herself in the mirror
without hating her self. For some reason this all felt very
wrong. It felt wrong for Gawain to think that she had been
using him. She had not been using him. And she would prove
that.

Taking the money, Catherine dropped it into her pouch and
turned to see who had been watching the interaction. No one
seemed intently interested so she decided to go take care of
some other business before noon arrive.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 4:19 pm
Linnette


Having to walk between all those men in the state she was in
was enough of an ordeal in itself- but it seemed that Linnette
was not even to be able to do that in whatever semblance of
peace she could contrive. Behind her, Arthur was summoning the
men in to his quarters again- and she could feel the presence
of someone stepping closer to her on her left- but the touch
on her elbow came from her right, from the owner of the boots
Linnette thought she had recognized. Amadeus. No doubt he
wished to make some sympathetic remark as well, and Linnette
took a deep breath, fighting to get her scattered emotions
under control before she looked up at him. It wouldn’t do any
good to bite his head off, when he surely only meant well. He
led her a couple of steps away, and she raised her eyes to
him, still no doubt flushed and rather teary, but managing to
hold it together for now, if only just barely.

Amadeus
 
"Linnette, my dear, there is something I needed to say
to you with immediate effect. I do apologise of the bad
timing, however- with the barracks being destroyed we
are in need of your quarters. Ahm...I can get my man to
organise a room for you elsewhere if you wish. A smaller
room...of course."


What? Linnette’s face twisted up into a silent expression of
horrified disbelief. She was losing her room, too, on top of
everything else? Gedeon’s room? It was not enough that she had
lost her husband, now she had to be insulted twice running, by
each of the fort’s highest-ranking officers?? A smaller room…a
smaller room, damn the smug way Amadeus had to say that!
Almost as if to rub in the fact that she was a widow!
Competent, but over-eager and a little naive, she had though
him when they dined a few evenings ago; well that, she now
thought savagely, had been much too charitable! The man knew
nothing if he thought this was the best way to break such
awful news- nothing!

“I…I understand. Thank you.” She managed to croak the words,
force them out without hardly understanding what they meant,
before she had turned from Amadeus again and ran- this time
literally ran- down the hallway towards the nearest corner.
Away, away- she just wanted to get away. But there was no
getting away- not really. Her responsibilities raced in
circles around her mind, huge, overwhelming, threatening to
drown her. The ledgers in the tavern- how much work had built
up since the day before yesterday? She must keep Arthur from
feeling he had to do them at all costs! And now moving her and
Gedeon’s things, too- the sheer numbers of items overwhelmed
her, everything in the dresser and the oddments scattered over
the table, Gedeon’s weapons and armor odd bits and pieces,
even the furniture, too…and where were they going, anyway? And
she had to care for Linnesse, make sure her sister didn’t
overexert herself, which she would very probably try to do.
Too much, too much…

Tears were flowing down her cheeks now, and she didn’t try to
stop them. Her breath came heavier, in choked sobs, and as
soon as she judged herself far enough away from Arthur’s
quarters that the sound would not be obvious, she whirled
towards the stone wall nearest her and slapped it, stingingly
hard with the palm of her hand. It hurt, pain radiating up her
arm, but it was not enough- not nearly enough. Crying openly
now, she slapped at the unyielding wall over and over,
forwards and backwards, eventually with both hands, as if it
was everything horrible in her life and she could force it
into submission, crush it into a pulp. She imagined Arthur
working over her ledgers, Amadeus’s smug, hawk-nosed face, and
she truly wanted nothing more than to kill them both, kill
everyone who stood in her way. Well, there was one thing she
wanted more than that- only one thing.

“Gedeon, why the fuck did you leave me?” she sobbed
pointlessly, and hammered her hands on the wall even harder-
the pain was increasing, but still not enough, not enough to
block everything else out, and that meant it was still not
enough.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 4:34 pm
Drake


Drake didn't like the Optio. Not the way he looked at Linnette
when she came out, not the way he took her off to one side.
Drake stood frowning intensely in their direction. Arthur
called the others back inside but Drake remained rivetted to
the spot, fingers flexing into his palm. His saddlebags were
still slung over his shoulder and he tightened his fingers
about the leather uselessly. What was being said? Why did it
have to be said so quiet? Why did Linnette look so surprised?!

The Spaniard's breath was coming in long, deep huffs now, his
jaw should have shattered all the teeth in his head so tightly
was it clamped.

She moved away so fast!

Drake was aware of Amadeus going into the room after the other
two before he realised that Linnette was running.

"Shit!" he exclaimed under his breath. He heard the patter of
her feet, moving fast and he set off towards them. He got so
far, turned a corner and saw her - God he saw her standing,
crying her heart out and slapping the wall as if it had
mortally offended her. Without stopping, Drake threw his bags
into a corner where they skidded to a halt, banging noisily
against the stone wall. He was behind the auburn-haired woman
in a flash, her pained words barely registering in his head as
he grabbed her wrist hard, turning her around to face him.
One look down into her tear-stricken face made him regret
getting involved in this at all.

It tore at what heartstrings he had left to see her so upset.
And he couldn't look at her that upset. So he pulled her to
him. Holding her wrist in his hand hard to stop her hurting
herself. His arm wrapped around her upper body preventing her
other hand from lifting. She was not to be taken so lightly.
Drake struggled with her agony a moment, turning to the side
and leaning his shoulder against the wall, allowing her to
lean against it a little too as he tipped his head down, his
cheek against the top of her head.

"Shh -- shh.." he whispered, knowing her hot tears were
soaking the front of his armour, knowing that his worthless
efforts to ease her pain were probably making things worse.
But what else could he do? He couldn't just turn and leave
her. He couldn't pretend that he didn't care that she was
hurting herself, or that she was hurting at all. She put on a
brave face but she was human. And she was in pain.
"Stop Linnette. Stop it.." he ordered her in a stern but quiet
voice. "It won't change anything." the man said with a hollow,
sad sigh.

Seeing her this woefully distraught, Drake knew that if he
could have he would have brought Gedeon back to life. Even if
it meant that he would be on a horse to Jerusalem right now
never to see her again. Anything that she wouldn't have to
feel all these confusing, destorying thoughts.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Lancelot
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 7:07 pm

Lancelot


The knight cocked a haughty eyebrow at Scipio - the man was
remaining calm, Lancelot had to give him that. Unfortunately,
Lancelot had sort of hoped that the Optio might have tried
something...but then again, that would not be in anyone's best
interest.

Amadeus
 
"I would not known Merlin from Adam, Lancelot. I do not
make it my business to consort with the enemy... at
least not and let them live. Any woad that I encountered
is laid bloody in the pile of corpses outside the
walls."


A dark smile decorated Lancelot's dirty face, although he
wasn't familiar with this "Adam" person the Optio mentioned.
"All the Woads you encountered? My, that's quite a feat for
one man."

One cowardly bastard. Lancelot shook his head, and despite his
better judgment, opened his mouth to speak again, but the door
swung open and Gedeon's widow exited. Lancelot met Arthur's
gaze, and crossed his arms over his chest, his face flat -
only his eyes showing his disappointment in having been
relegated to second string out in the hall.

Arthur
 
“Gentleman, thank you for waiting…shall we continue?”


Lancelot pushed off the wall he'd been leaning on and followed
Arthur back into the other man's quarters. He noted that
Arthur still had his hand on his side, and a twinge of guilt
at his earlier actions plagued Lancelot's tired head again.
Amadeus had stopped to talk to the girl, and Lancelot took the
brief opportunity to stand close by Arthur's shoulder, his
body a mere breath away from the commander's. He didn't want
anyone to hear him. Besides, he had to reassert his place
here...or he had to find out if things had changed. If that
was the case...well, Lancelot would go out with a bang, that
was for sure. And then the officially recognized second in
command could destroy Badon as surely as Lancelot would end up
in the ground.

The Sarmatian had a feeling Arthur wouldn't like that - but by
the gods, things had been so strained and so strange between
them - Lancelot had no idea what Arthur was thinking, let
alone feeling about this whole situation. And that bothered
the knight. More than it ought to.

He canted his eyes to Arthur's wound, and then back up to the
other man's face. The shadows under Lancelot's lids made his
sharp face look almost like it had been carved from wood -
almost unreal in its beauty and fierce exhaustion.

"Is it manageable?" he asked. For I will not be responsible
for you being hurt yet again. "If I need to get the
healer...."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 7:39 pm

Linnette


"No...no, let me go!" Someone behind her had grabbed her
wrist, pulled her away from the wall and tried to turn her
around, but Linnette wasn't having any of it- she reacted out
of instinct, struggling against the iron grip, trying to get
back at the wall to continue beating it into submission.
Whoever was behind her- it wasn't Gedeon, and it wasn't
Amadeus either, that was all she realized consciously at
first- held her back, nearly lifting her off her feet as she
struggled, and eventually succeeded in turning her around,
turning her to face him, one of her arms pinned under his.
When that happened, she made a couple of unsuccessful attempts
to hit him, flailed her freer arm towards him only to have it
held back, but somewhere in the middle of all that, she
realized that her captor, or perhaps rescuer, was Drake. Maybe
it was the voice that alerted her- because he was talking now,
even though she was not quite sure when he had begun.

Drake
 
"Shh- shh...stop, Linnette. Stop it...it won't change
anything."


"I know, damn it...I know." She aimed her hand, now balled
into a fist, in a blow towards his stomach again, once, then
twice, but he held both blows off easily, his balance wobbling
just slightly as he absorbed the would-be impact with the
muscles of his arm. Breathing out a loud, sobbing sigh of
frustration at the futility of it all, Linnette subsided and
twisted her hand out of his grip instead, and Drake, seeming
to recognize the change in her intentions, let it go.

Once it was free, she pulled that arm in next to her body, not
even thinking about the fact that Drake was still embracing
her tight with his other arm. Still sniffling with tears
running down her cheeks, she looked down at her hand- the palm
was bleeding, abraded from contact with the stones, and felt
both painful and numb at the same time, if that were possible.
The bones all along her arm, and the other one, too, felt
jarred from the impacts. Stupid, stupid, pointless thing to
do. Stupid, and now she'd be even more unhappy than she had
been before this display. Unthinkingly, she laid her palm flat
on Drake's metal armor in front of her, letting the coolness
soak into the abused skin, and hid her face against his chest
until her crying once more subsided. He had his cheek bent
against the top of her head, she realized- and he badly needed
to shave.

"He...the Optio..." Linnette snifffed, finally raising her
head and trying to explain, or begin to explain, what had
precipitated all this. She had so much to do- so terribly,
terribly much- but that overwhelming whirl had been pushed
ever so slightly to the side just for now, displaced by the
need to communicate, first- to share all that sorrow.

"He told me I can't stay in my room. It's needed because of
the barracks." She got that out in a remarkably coherent
chunk, punctuated by another sniffing catch of breath, another
swallowed urge to cry.

"And I've got my accounts, and Linnesse..." she took a step
backwards, lifting both her hands and gazing down at them, red
with streaks of drying blood. They hurt.

"I...I just don't know what to do anymore," she raised her
eyes to Drake again, silently appealing him for anything,
anything at all, that he could do. Not that there was much-
most likely. No one could do much.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 8:33 pm
Adian


Thorn, I love you... The line drifted in his mind as he held
Fiona close to him just as he had held Thorn the first time
they had loved...and many times after that. All but one night
when she had given her love to another. The days he spent with
Thorn came back to him as he nuzzled his face into Fiona's
sweet smelling hair...feeling her warm body so close. The
grief he felt stabbed at him causing tears to flow, his mind
oblivious to what he was doing to this young woman who had
come to comfort him. Adian marveled at the softness of every
strand of Fiona's hair, and hten the softness of her neck as
he placed tear ridden kisses over the skin there. He sighed as
well as he felt her face bury in his neck and sigh. In his
mind, he could hear Thorn sigh and whisper endearments to him.
Adian's body began to respond to the memory, and to Fiona's
closeness. So young and sweet.

Adain moved his kisses further up her neck to her chin. Fiona
gasped making his wonder just want she was feeling right
now....there was a deep breath....

Fiona
 
"I care, so much, Adian."


As he continued brushing soft kisses over her neck and chin,
she tilted her head to one side to allow him more of the
tender flesh. Adian groaned and began to move her back toward
the bed as if they were dancing slowly. He broke the kiss and
looked into Fiona's eyes. She was lovely for her age as well
as mature...perhaps...

"Fiona," Adian whispered as he reached up and began to untie
the ties to her tunic. He knew it was morning, but he wanted
Fiona now...
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: linnet
Date: Sun May 11, 2008 8:39 pm

Gawain


When he got outside the tavern, it was raining and cold, and
Gawain didn’t know where he was going. He started in the
direction of the knights’ quarters, but without conviction.
His hair quickly got wet. It smelled like a drenched dog,
which he figured he probably looked like as well.

He was having trouble getting rid of Catherine’s image as he
had stood over her before leaving. She had been frightened,
nervously flinching as though she expected him to hit her.
Maybe he had wanted to hurt her, but only emotionally – never
physically. It bothered him to consider that she might have
thought he would harm her because it had happened to her with
other men. But he didn’t want to think about Catherine and
what a fool she had made him feel. He didn’t want to think
about Brianna and how he had failed her. He didn’t want to
think about the baby she would have, and what would become of
it. He just plain didn’t want to think. It was too early in
the day though to start blotting out his thoughts with
alcohol.

He felt completely aimless as he considered where to go.
Unless he was going to sleep, his room was too empty. There
was no reason to go to the stables. He didn’t need the baths
since he’d been washed up except for his hair last night. The
infirmary was a possibility, but he didn’t know if Dag was
well enough for visitors yet. He’d spent enough time in the
tavern for a while. He never would set foot in the chapel. He
had no assigned duties, as Arthur was undoubtedly recovering,
and Lancelot was holed up with him. And it was too cold and
wet to go fishing. It was going to be a long day, he thought,
turning finally toward the armory. Yesterday Jols would have
taken the knights’ weapons that they didn’t always carry
there. Gawain probably couldn’t clean those that were his very
well with one arm in a sling, but right now it would be
something to do, it was out of the rain, and weapons weren’t
bad company.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Free Forums with no limits on posts or members.
Learn More · Sign-up for Free
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.