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June 2008
Topic Started: Mar 23 2010, 07:18 PM (3,698 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: sabor ice
Date: Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:53 am

Milan


Mari
 
"That was new. It feels nice...I'll go get dressed
maybe? We can go ... do something? Maybe go to the house
and see if it is still standing after last night?"


Her words of encouragement made him bow his head shyly. The
newly discovered insatiable passion between them had
temporarily overpowered him, but he was still naive. He knew
not what he did, but only what he felt. She made him feel
things he had never known before. It was all frightfully
fascinating.

Liquid blue eyes studied her hand against his chest, admiring
the soft texture and petiteness of it in comparison to his own
that now gently encompassed the extremity. So innocent, so
natural, the gesture was, but it held deeper meaning than that
for Milan. It reminded him of how far they had come in such a
short amount of time - how far he had come. Physical
affection. Emotional support. Empathy. Compassion. Love. These
were all normal aspects of the human instinct, but from them
Milan had been alienated. Outlandish social standings and
ludicrous superstitions and beliefs had for too long condemned
him to a world of sunset - impending darkness - separating him
from the vital ingredients that made a person human. Mari was
the sunrise he never knew he had been waiting for. He raised
his gaze to meet her eyes, the ones ever filled with hope, the
ones that had saved him.

He took her hand from his chest, cradling it in his between
their bodies. His free hand cupped the area between her jaw
line and neck, and he kissed her forehead tenderly. The young
man stepped back again, and gestured with a small tilt of his
head for her to go dress. Even after she had left his side to
do so, Milan didn't realize that he was still smiling.

The only thing Milan recalled between the bathhouse and Mari's
family's old cottage was holding her hand. He had also managed
to stumble once or twice, but the clumsiness eluded him for
she had luckily been there to catch him every time. He had
tried to pay attention to where he walked, but inevitably his
eyes kept sneaking glances at her face.

The cottage was still standing...sort of. The substantial
damage done remained the product of long time abandonment and
Britain's unpredictable weather. From what Milan could see,
nothing about it had changed. Inside it was cold and
everything saturated from the rain. The bed remained untouched
under the protective awning created from a sunken roof. The
blankets and pillows were in fine disarrangement from the day
and night he and Mari had spent in it together. There was one
thing out of place however - the blunt instrument that had
once contained hot embers and ashes lay discarded on the
floor. Mari had bravely used the contents of it against the
blue painted man, burning her hand in the process - he
remembered. Thankfully, there was no trace of the intruder.
Milan gave Mari a reassuring smile.









Alina

Galahad
 
"I'm not nearly as drunk as I should be. And here's
private enough for whatever you have to say. There's no
one sitting anywhere near us, love...Unless you're
planning on saying something that's going to upset me."


He repelled her hand and took his tankard. It had been a
deliberately harsh gesture, and it hurt really, but not as
much as the way he stared at her with angry, accusing eyes.
Alina shrunk back into her seat, posture almost as defensive
as his. Her brown eyes never left Galahad's face, even when a
serving wench momentarily interrupted to re-fill his tankard.
Alina winced at his severe tone. So, this was how it was going
to be? This was the price she was going to pay for a happening
with Kolya? She sucked on her bottom lip pensively, gaze
averting in thought. She wondered just how high the price
would be to pay.

"You're already upset," she pointed out in a whisper, with a
slight shake of her head, eyes averted to her hands in her
lap. Her posture slouched dejectedly. It was no secret that
obviously Galahad knew something already.

The worst part of everything was that although Alina planned
to tell Galahad the truth, it couldn't be the whole truth. The
whole truth would've been that although she regretted hurting
Galahad, a part of her still did not regret having been with
Kolya. She wasn't as sorry as she should've been. And, that
truth would've killed Galahad inside. She couldn't let it
happen, not when she cared for him as much as she did. Alina
could never care for another man quite like she did for
Galahad, yet she felt unable to express that to him, even now.
Would it even matter?

She lifted her head, her eyes rimmed red from weariness and
upset. The pain was evident in her eyes, yet they sought no
forgiveness, just understanding. She couldn't find the right
words to say, because nothing seemed suffice.

"I'm...I'm sorry..." Alina offered weakly, her voice small,
quiet. She closed her eyes and bowed her head again, not being
able to bear the hurt look on his face any longer.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Unicorn
Date: Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:23 am
Dagonet


Derfel and Lucius have left... And while Lancelot was speaking
the last words to Lavinia, Dagonet's eyes were upon his lover.
She looked broke... Why was she crying? Something hurted
her... or somebody? A sudden brief flash of anger hit his
heart. If somebody done something to her, he will kill the
bastard. But after a second anger diminished and guilt arose
inside him... Was it because of him? Of his state? He wanted
to speak with her, but all he could was to weakly hold her
hand, to feel her little hand squeezing his big one, and look
at her. This was not the time nor the place to ask those
questions.

The tall Sarmatian was already tired with all of the
visitors... The moment he was awake exhausted him greatly. He
felt like he could sleep again, but only briefly closed his
eyes and allowed himself a moment to gather himself, clear his
mind.

Lavinia has said her part and left... leaving Dagonet with
Saoirse and Lancelot, who approached the bed.

Lancelot
 
"Dags, Saoirse. I'm sure Arthur would appreciate you
taking care of our man here. Arthur sends his greetings
and thanks, old man,How do you fare?"


Old man... Lancelot smiled saying this and Dagonet's corners
of mouth twitched to this. Sure, maybe Dagonet was older than
Lancelot, but not as much as it would appear so.... Even so he
had never protested about this phrase from Lancelot's mouth.
He just looked at the man with understanding look and sighed,
his weak half-smile disappearing.

Old man. He is going to be a grandfather... Old man, who had
just lost his son. The old man who has to depend of others to
take care of him. Old man who could not do anything by himself
right now. The once more thought of Gedeon lost for forever
made him close his eyes in pain...

How does he fare?

Not good... But it was the last thing he could say to
Lancelot. Dagonet had to pretend to be strong before his
fellow Sarmatians. He have to be strong. He will not say that
he was broken and far away from being good.

He looked back at Lancelot with determination in his eyes,
like giving the man assurance that everything will be fine in
time. He was about to speak up when Saoirse, as always, spoke
for him.

Saoirse
 
"He's farin' as well as can be expected ye lout, an'
less o'the 'old' bits."Aren't ye. An' ye can tell Arthur
from me tha' he's not goin' out wi' the rest o'you
eejits til he's fully healed from this. An' if ye won't
tell him tha' from me then I'll tell him meself."


Dagonet looked at her as she touched his cheek tenderly and
their eyes met. She was his bedrock always... His full of
temper and emotions little woman. His lover.

In Dagonet's eyes was sadness but also a quiet thank you for
support... a little worry of her tear stained face but most of
all love towards her. He was hurt... broken, but nothing will
change that he loved her with all of his heart. Once she
started to talked about getting healed he rolled his eyes
silently with a little sigh.

"I'm going to be fine.... soon" he spoke up finally adding the
last word silently, not believing this himself, his eyes
downcast.

Near him Bors made his presence noticable and Dagonet tossed
his look upon his friend, everything to escape from those
questions from Lancelot. Bors wasn't looking good himself. The
leg must hurt him.

"Welcome back, friend." he said while his hand tried to squeez
Saoirse's stronger... his eyes closing slowly to her soothing
touch upon his cheek.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:37 pm
Mari


Oh it was all so new! These feelings of reciprocated love!
Mari felt like she was walking on clouds as she came out of
the bath-house and took Milan's hand. She felt spotless, her
body a little cold but it was not something she could pay much
attention to when she had so much more to consider. Like how
warm Milan's hand felt against her palm, how the shadow that
his body cast upon her when they turned down out of the gate
of the main fortress grounds... The young woman kept looking
up at Milan, catching him looking down at her and then looking
away with a shy smile. And this continued until they were at
teh cottage.

Mari paused, gave a small start when she realised they were
there already and then released Milan's hand. She stepped
forward gingerly, looking into the house and stepping in
through the doorway, grimacing at how wet everything was. But
she was hopeful that it was not a complete loss.

Biting her bottom lip and half-turning around in the centre of
the little cottage, Mari gave Milan a hopeful smile.

"Well... it's not as good as I thought it would be, but it's
not as bad as it could be, right? We could ... we could fix it
up a little, couldn't we? Fix the roof for a start... get rid
of all this.." she said, stepping over a few odd bits to
gesture at the rotten wooden table and chairs that were
collapsed in the middle of the floor with bits of roof
dangling down onto it. She took a deep breath and smiled,
brightly.

Nothing could keep Mari down for long, not the most dismal of
projects or cruel acts!

With a delighted giggle, Mari trotted over to Milan and threw
her arms around his waist, laying her head against his chest,
her bright, wide eyes looking around the place, seeing it as
it would look rather than how it looked now -

"Do you really want to do this with me Milan? To fix here for
us to live?" Mari asked, looking up at the man with her arms
still about his waist, her head tipped far back, her
expression hopeful. One negative word from him now could
shatter her hopes into a thousand pieces. "Tell me that you do
- say it...?" Mari pleaded with a smile, closing her eyes and
brushing her nose softly against his bottom lip, breathing in
the warm scent of his breath and skin.









Galahad

Alina
 
"You're already upset,"


For some reason her statement puzzled Galahad. He had the mug
of ale halfway to his lips and paused, looking at her over the
rim of the tankard. His blue eyes were confused as he peered
at Alina's sad face. She looked tired, very tired - and sad.

She looked sorry but there was also an acceptance that sorry
was not enough to her expression too, which made Galahad's
stomach do a flip.

Just what did he not know?! They had only been gone a day or
two, hadn't they? And things had been good between them before
he left?

Alina
 
"I'm...I'm sorry..."


The dark haired knight gave a snort - breaking out of his
initial puzzled quandry. He tilted the tankard back to drink
some of the cold ale and then wiped the back of hsi hand
against his beard and moustache, smacking his lips as he
looked down at the table. He didn't want his true feelings to
show, the hurt feelings, the rejected feelings. The feeling
that he had lost her somewhere along the way when he had
thought things were good between them.

He felt foolish...

But righteously entitled to be angry and so he flexed his
figners into his palm, glancing up at Alina from beneath a
curtain of dark, curly fringe -

"For what, Alina? what exactly have you done?" Galahad asked,
his tone a little sinister, his words a little slurred as he
sat forward, one hand clenched on his hard thigh, the other
tight around the handle on the tankard he was drinking from,
the knuckles turning white as he leaned in closer to Alina's
slack-shouldered form.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:53 pm
Adian


He liked Tatiana, and the warm feelings she had given him just
as Thorn had what seemed like so long ago. Something began to
stir in Adian's soul as if Thorn were telling him to let go of
her and to fall in love again...but he had not known Tatiana
for that long, but then he had not known Thorn for very long
when they made love in the confessional. The young
carpenter/hunter liked how he felt around her...he had not
made love for so long that he craved her body.

Would she want the same though? Adian smiled inwardly as if
responding to what Thorn wanted for him. To be happy, and to
find someone to have in his life. Oh! The way she smiled at
him! It almost made him melt, and the way those eyes seemed to
look him over, or had he imagined it?

Tatiana
 
"Sure, sounds like a plan to me, Adian. Yes, definetly a
good idea, maybe I'll do your back, if you'd like?"


Adian smiled as he watched her tie the leather strap at her
throat to keep the cloak in place. There was something...a
look perhaps....in her eyes that told him to be cautious
suddenly. Was there someone else? Well, with Thorn, it had
been Javier in a way. Still that had not stopped him from
loving her, and taking her to be his wife. His dark heather
gray eyes softened as he looked at her, then he took her arm
in his and lead her to the baths. Gods above but he felt grimy
and smelly! "Well, I would appreciate that, love. I will make
you a deal: You can wash my back if I can give you a bath
after you are done with me." To Adian, it sounded like
something any woman would have jumped at the chance to do. His
eyes sparkled hoping that she'd say yes. It would be just the
two of them....

They walked in silence to the baths where he went over to a
secluded area. He stopped and looked at Tatiana. So innocent
and so worth fighting for. Looking about, Adian began to take
off his tunic revealing old scars from his past....a past he
wanted to forget. Aware that Tatiana could see his back, Adian
tuned quickly so that she could not see.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:53 pm
Derfel


While Derfel had been attempting to muster up enough courage
to present Linnette with his idea, he had completely forgotten
Drake’s presence. But when it was the older man who supplied
the answer to his question, blue eyes snapped to Drake’s
weathered expression.

Drake
 
"The Optio. Arthur will not openly overturn the orders
of his second. Though the decision to ask is entirely
yours."


The new Optio had ordered this? Derfel sighed through his nose
as Drake’s further comment on Arthur sank in as well. The
older man was probably right. Arthur may not be aware of this
‘order’, but this was the Roman army after all and there were
rules and proper protocol among the officers. But Derfel also
knew Arthur to be different and was already beginning to work
out what he’d say to the Commander on Linnette’s behalf when
the lady herself spoke up.

Linnette
 
“No…..I’m sure Amadeus had good reason.”


Derfel’s gaze lingered on Linnette’s troubled expression. He
was not accustomed to hearing defeat in her voice, but it
seemed to be there in regards to this particular issue. Surely
she was not herself and for good reason…Derfel certainly
sympathized. But shouldn’t they…..wait a moment….hadn’t
Linnesse told him that the sisters had actually met Scipio
years ago? Perhaps if they all went to the Optio together they
could persuade him….surely he could be persuaded in her
favor…right? And Derfel would not have to suggest what had
originally popped into his head as it was a foolish notion at
best. Surely Linnette would have no part of sharing….

Linnesse
 
“Derfel, couldn’t she share with us? I mean…”


Derfel’s eyes widened with surprise. Linnesse had somehow read
his thoughts on the matter and gave it voice, thus effectively
sparing the young knight from Linnette’s wrath had it come
from Derfel’s mouth instead. He bit at his bottom lip
expecting an unfavorable reaction from Linnette at any moment
now. But Linnesse was all smiles as she turned expectantly
towards her sister. It could work. Maybe. If the gods would
gift Derfel with a never ending supply of patience.

Linnesse
 
“Surely two rooms would be big enough for all of us- and
that way I’ll be close by to help when the baby comes!”


Linnette did not immediately rebuke the suggestion which gave
Derfel a glimmer of hope that an amicable solution could
indeed be found. Linnesse was obviously eager for his input as
her eyes flickered from Linnette to Derfel repeatedly.

“I….well I had…” Derfel’s voice sounded a bit rough as he
attempted to weigh in on Linnesse’s suggestion. He had hoped
that Linnette would answer first, but perhaps with a little
more encouragement from him. Or not. Derfel shifted his weight
from one foot to the other, a bit apprehensive as he put on a
brave face and opened his mouth to continue.

“Aye, it would make things easy and a bit more convenient to
be helpin’ out with the little one if we were sharing those
adjoining rooms,” Derfel finally spit out and held his breath
while awaiting Linnette’s response. While it was true they
rarely saw eye to eye on any matter, surely Derfel and
Linnette could make due as they were family now with his
impending marriage to Linnesse. And with Gedeon gone (that
pain was still very fresh in Derfel’s heart as well) Derfel
would feel it only right that he looked after Linnette.

But sharing two adjoining rooms meant a loss of some privacy
for Derfel and Linnesse. Selfish as it was, he couldn’t help
feeling a bit awkward about that part. Yet, he doubted
Linnette would agree to such an arrangement at any rate.

Derfel gave Linnesse an encouraging smile and lightly touched
the small of her back. He’d do anything his lover wished at
any rate…no matter what.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:18 pm
Linnette and Linnesse


Derfel
 
“I…well I had…aye, it would make things easy and a bit
more convenient to be helpin’ out with the little one if
we were sharing those adjoining rooms.”


"It would, wouldn't it?" Linnesse replied eagerly, looking up
lovingly at Derfel, her eyes shining with relief that he had
agreed to the plan. His smile told her that- and she couldn't
have been happier with it. She turned back towards Linnette,
her face alight with a smile, which only broadened when
Linnette, looking rather puzzled and thoughtful, nodded
slowly.

"Well...I wouldn't want to be a..." Linnette trailed off,
glancing over at Derfel and scrutinizing him as discreetly as
possible for signs of reluctance. He had definitely hesitated
when he had first started to speak...but there was honestly no
trace of objection on his face now. She twisted once more in
her seat, shooting another rather apprehensive glance back at
Drake- while across from her, Linnesse felt a quiet stab of
annoyance at that. What did he have to do with all this? Why
was he still following Linnette around, hours after the crisis
of finding her on the wall had been resolved? And why was she
looking to him almost as if for permission? She was just on
the point of maybe saying something about that, when
Linnette's eyes turned back to her, and she spoke again.

"I suppose it might be best. For now, at least." The corner of
Linnette's mouth tugged up in a hesitant attempt at a smile,
and Linnesse smiled broadly again and scooted forward off the
stool, throwing her arms around Linnette again.

"Oh, good! And it will be no trouble at all, Linnette- none.
Never think that." She reassured her sister firmly, then
stepped back, breaking the embrace, and her eyes widened as
she seemed to realize something.

"Goodness, this will be a big job," she murmurred, only now
beginning to picture in her head the task of moving all of
Linnette's things, plus all of her and Derfel's things. There
was a great deal to do, and she herself was not nearly at her
full strength yet- but perhaps that was all the more reason to
get started soon.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Starbelle
Date: Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:20 pm
Tatiana


Adian
 
"Well, I would appreciate that, love. I will make you a
deal: You can wash my back if I can give you a bath
after you are done with me."


"Sure, Adian. That definetly sounds like a fair deal to me."
Tatiana replied with a nod as a sneaky grin appeared on her
face, making her emerald eyes light up with just a hint of
mischief after briefly thinking about it after they arrived at
the baths.

Glancing around, she thought that she saw just a quick glimpse
of his back before he turned around to face her before she
mentally shook her head then she too headed over to the
changing areas and finding a towel, shyly wrapped herself up
in it after leaving her tunic, trews and boots behind in the
changing area.

Sitting on the wall in front, she moved her bare feet back and
forth in the water, acting just like a little girl about to go
swimming, still wrapped up in the towel while waiting for
Adian to appear. Maybe Bren and I should just remain as
friends and put Adian in the running as a friend then work up
from there. He seems more like the adventurous type..like me.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Lancelot
Date: Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:23 pm

Lancelot


The knight sat on an empty stool, setting his 'new' leathers
down at his feet. His swords he laid across his knees; he
would be damned if he forgot them somewhere again.

Arthur - damn it. One way or another - things will be settled
between us. Even if it means never touch -

He watched the redhead with brows that continued to rise as
she answered before Dagonet could - probably a good thing, as
the injured man did not look so well. Saoirse had a strange
look about her; Lancelot had always felt he could open his
large mouth and spew words to this one and never hear a
crosswise comment from her - unless of course she felt he was
in the wrong, and then she'd let him know in no uncertain
terms. That was one of the things he liked about the Irish
woman - that and her firey hair and temper. Dags was lucky to
have this one.

Saoirse
 
"He's farin' as well as can be expected ye lout, an'
less o'the 'old' bits...Aren't ye. An' ye can tell
Arthur from me tha' he's not goin' out wi' the rest
o'you eejits til he's fully healed from this. An' if ye
won't tell him tha' from me then I'll tell him meself."


Despite her strong words, Saoirse still glanced at Lancelot
askance, her eyes not seeming to match the daring expression
her face wore. He would have to figure it out later - right
now was not the time for analysing, especially when he was so
exhausted and not really caring about anything else but a bath
and some food.

...and an injured commander, who is being stubborn yet again.
He'd best have stayed in bed.

Lancelot lowered his chin and gazed at Saoirse through
narrowed eyes, a small smile decorating his angular and still
dirty features. "My love, you cannot deny that he is my elder,
can you? But ah well," he sighed overly dramatically, and
winked at Dagonet. "And don't you worry about Arthur giving
orders any time soon. If that 'eejit' tries to get out of his
bed, he will be lashed to it quick as you can say 'bondage.'"
His sarcasm tempered, and he met her eyes dead on. "No
worries, lamb. Dagonet will stay here for as long he needs to.
And speaking of - " Lancelot turned his head to gaze at said
knight.

Dagonet
 
"I'm going to be fine.... soon."


Lancelot twisted his mouth as he assesed his brother. "You'd
best do whatever you need to to make sure that does happen,
friend. I'd rather not have to tie you and Arthur down." He
touched the other Sarmatian's arm gently, and met his gaze for
a moment without speaking, trying to communicate his sense of
loss for Dagonet's pain without speaking. Lancelot was a man
of multiple words, but not when it came to serious subjects or
matters of the heart. He figured it was best to let the person
involved sort things out on their own. Besides, he knew Dags
would ask if he needed something from Lancelot.

Bors stirred on the bed next to Dagonet, and as the tall
knight greeted the grumpy one, Lancelot looked to Saoirse
again.

"He will be cared for. I promise you." His dark gaze met her
equally fierce one and held for a moment, and then he broke
it, not willing to sustain anything that required that much
emotion. Swinging 'round to look at the other two men,
Lancelot mock pouted and made a tutting sound. "Ah, Bors. And
here I'd thought I might have won our bet by default." He
laughed, a bit too harshly, and stood. "Dags," he said. "I'm
going to report to Arthur that you're functioning - but
listen, old man," he emphasized the term with a smirk, "if I
so much as hear a whisper of you out of this bed before the
warden there," he nodded back toward where Lavinia had gone,
"tells you you can, you'll have me to answer to. And I'm not
as nice as Arthur."

He smiled and turned to go, but hesitated as he picked up his
leathers. He crouched next to Dag for a moment, and spoke to
him alone. "I am sorry for your loss."

And then Lancelot stood and made to leave again, eager to get
the fuck out of the infirmary and away from the omnipresent
sense of death.

He had had enough of that to last him a lifetime.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: linnet
Date: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:01 pm

Juna


Merlin
 
"They bury them. All in a pit together. Or sometimes
they burn them- depending on what seems easiest. Either
way, they rest with each other and with the earth."


The sadness behind Merlin’s words made Juna regret her
question. Not having been close to anyone since being taken by
the Woads, death to her had remained faceless. But today, she
found herself thinking of one particular fallen warrior, the
young man whose name she had never bothered to remember. He
had been so full of life, cocky and boastful, and devoted to
his little sister. When Juna had patched up his wounds from
many battles, his body, though scarred, had seemed strong
enough to survive any damage. Now he was no more.

For Merlin, she knew, every lost Woad was someone he knew and
mourned. She was sorry for turning his thoughts in such a
sobering direction. She had been thinking about the fact that
the Woad retreat meant those like Eala’s brother, who died
during the battle had to be left behind. And that had taken
her thoughts to the next question she wanted to ask. But
Merlin answered it without any further words from her.

Merlin
 
"The Gods keep them."


She had lived among these people for many years, and knew
almost nothing about their beliefs. She hadn’t been
interested. She knew they worshipped more than one god. But
other than the fact that they talked to Merlin and seemed keen
on war, she didn’t know them. She had watched rituals
celebrating the gods, as well as life passage rituals, but as
a non-participating observer only. Were they stern and
vengeful gods? Did they reside in some other world? Did they
have personalities? What did they demand of their followers,
and what did they offer in return? Juna’s thoughts about death
had started as her normal practical search for factual
information, but Merlin’s inescapable aura of spirituality as
he answered, drew her mind in an unfamiliar direction. Did his
gods promise an afterlife? And would they accept or reject
those who could not be put to rest with the tribal funeral
ceremony? Merlin’s few simple words gave her the answer, and a
calming feeling brushed lightly over her like a soft warm
breeze.

Juna lifted her eyes from the ground in front of her to
Merlin’s face. Both he and she were mortal humans, sharing
time and space. But they experienced the world so differently.
He inhabited a place of spirits, of mystery and faith. Such
things were beyond Juna’s understanding. Still, for a moment
she had felt something that might have come from a place not
of reason. “It’s good that the gods keep them,” she said
quietly, looking back downward as they walked. “Thank you,”
she added, for his indulgence which she understood, and
perhaps for the touch from another world which she did not
understand. It may have had nothing to do with Merlin’s
presence, but she would credit him.
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golden_trillium

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Author: lady ione
Date: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:31 pm
Adian


He did not bother standing behind anything to undress, and was
about to undo his belt to his breeches when Tatiana spoke...

Tatiana
 
"Sure, Adian. That definetly sounds like a fair deal to
me."


Her eyes glowed of mischief in the dim light of the gray day
that snuck into the bathing area. Had she seen his back? Adian
knew what price he had paid for those: killing of a deer on a
nobleman's property so he and his parents could eat. The price
had been one of humiliation and pain, and it was a lesson that
Adian had never forgotten. His thoughts broke as he watched
her slender figure move off to a private area. Shrugging, the
young man dropped his pants and stepped out of them now
standing totally naked in the light of the afternoon. Tatiana
had not come out yet, so Adian made his way over to the edge
of the pool like baths, and stepped down the steps into the
warm water....moving in until his lower body was covered with
water....

He stopped as she reappeared wrapped in a towel. Adian could
not understand why Tatiana had wrapped her body in such a
manner when she was going to take a bath. Nah....she can't be
THAT shy.... He thought watching her take a place on the wall
so that she could swing her dainty feet in the water. By
heavens she was a temptress! Was she aware of what she was
doing to him without trying? Adian moved forward and stood
before Tatiana his eyes holding hers. He slowly reached out
and unwrapped the towel from her body without breaking her
gaze.

Her body was lovely, and why she had wanted to hide it was
beyong him. Reaching out for a bar of soap and a clean cloth,
Adian placed them where he could reach them, then reached out
and took Tatiana's hand, "Come into the water, so that I can
bathe you first. I promise I will not take advantage of
you....I only want to hold on to our deal..."
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golden_trillium

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Author: linnet
Date: Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:56 pm
Mother Lavinia


Fleur
 
"I can count this many! Or I can use my 'foots', too.
Then, I can count lots higher!"


“We won’t need your foots. Your fingers will do fine,” Lavinia
assured her companion as she bent down to place the tiny foot
back snugly in its slipper. That done, she straightened up and
offered her hand for the bright eyed child to either ignore or
take to get back on her feet.

Fleur
 
"What'sa inventory, 'Vinia? Does it hurt?"


“Inventory is just counting things to see if you have enough
of them. It doesn’t hurt at all. Before we do the inventory,
we have to stop in my office,” the nun said. She started in
that direction, with Fleur hurrying to keep up, in constant
peril of tripping again over her new green dress. Seeing the
danger, Lavinia stopped. “Do this,” she said, grabbing a
section of the skirt of her habit in each hand and lifting
until a glimpse of her swollen old ankles appeared above her
well-worn black shoes. “This is how rich ladies walk so their
fancy dresses don’t get muddy.” The old woman led the way to
her office like that, paying no heed to the puzzled looks from
patients and staff as she and the little one passed by.
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golden_trillium

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Author: sabor ice
Date: Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:14 am
Mordred


Mordred had fallen characteristically silent again. It was not
that he had nothing to say - time and experience had simply
taught him that actions spoke louder than words. His
non-verbal senses were extraordinarily keen. His attention to
detail was painstakingly considerate. Sharp hearing and a
watchful eye had kept him alive more than once before.
Observation prompted opportunities for advantage. In such dark
times, a man could not afford to not be studious - his life
may have depended on it.

The knight looked on apathetically as Tristan investigated the
seemingly deserted campsite, his posture perfectly statuesque
in his saddle. Lucifer's reigns occupied one hand at his
thigh, while the other rested on the hilt of his sword.
Soulless eyes swiveled in the scout's direction as he beckoned
for the Optio. Mordred took note of Amadeus' silent
instruction to watch the prisoner. He did not openly
acknowledge the task, save for his claw-like digits wrapping
sinisterly about the butt of his blade. Oh, he would not kill
the bitch if she stirred up trouble, as it was unfortunately
not his place, but he had been given no restriction of
immobilizing her if and however necessary.

The trees swayed unnaturally in the wind, every bough crooked
and tipped with a jagged pincer. They seemed to loom
ominously, threatening to come alive and smite those unwelcome
in its icy realm. The wood in winter was the playground of the
Devil. How ironically fitting it was for its local sub-human
inhabitants. Mordred cast a dull glance in Neeria's direction,
before returning his attention to his surroundings. Watching.
Waiting. If the Woad had indeed led them into an ambush,
Mordred would be ready.









Fleur

Mother Lavinia
 
“We won’t need your foots. Your fingers will do fine.
Inventory is just counting things to see if you have
enough of them. It doesn’t hurt at all. Before we do the
inventory, we have to stop in my office.”


Place Fleur in front of a hardened soldier, and she'd kiss his
nose. Cross her with a deranged mutt, and she'd insist on
still trying to love it. Face the girl with a menacing bottle
of medicine, and she'd run for the hills.

The relief Fleur felt to hear no medicine would be involved
had her instantly smiling again. Even if Lavinia had been
lying, she would have reacted the same way. She hardly knew
the woman, and yet she was naturally compelled to believe her.
The healer had never wronged her, so the bond of eminent trust
remained unbroken.

Mother Lavinia
 
“Do this. This is how rich ladies walk so their fancy
dresses don’t get muddy.”


Fleur skipped along merrily after the woman, ignorant to the
danger her slightly over-sized dress presented. Lavinia halted
in mid-step and Fleur nearly bonked into her. The blonde
peered up at the healer curiously, cocking her head to the
side in consideration of Lavinia's advice. The woman
demonstrated her meaning. Fleur hunkered forward, hands on her
knees, as she watched the effect of the woman raising the hem
of her dress. Fleur wrinkled her nose, momentarily distracted
by the sight of the woman's swollen ankles. She giggled at how
odd they looked in comparison to her own.

The healer led the way to her office, and Fleur diligently
tried to copy-cat her. She grabbed her green dress with both
hands, yanking it up a ways, blissfully unaware of how awkward
she appeared toddling after Lavinia with her hem hiked well
above her knobby knees. To her, this all felt like a silly
game rather than a lesson.

"Them rich ladies walk funny then. I never saw a lady 'round
here walkin' like this," Fleur giggled, watching her thin pale
legs in motion as she walked. She was far from trying to be
insolent.

Inside Lavinia's office, Fleur dropped the edges of her dress
and twisted her little hands comfortably around her back,
teetering anxiously side-to-side as she waited. Her curious
blue eyes darted all about the room.

"Do you live here 'Vinia?" she wondered.









Alina

Galahad
 
"For what, Alina? What exactly have you done?"


Alina placed an elbow on the table, bringing up her palm to
rest her forehead against. She sucked in and released a deep
breath through her nostrils, glancing momentarily past her arm
around the infirmary for anyone who might've seen her with
Kolya. Well, several of those present had seen them, but not
together - they had owned the baths at the time, or so she had
thought. Her gaze briefly lingered on Drake's form; she
shivered in recollection of him having walked into the
storeroom while she and Kolya had been...

She closed her eyes and shook away the thought. Drake would
never have said anything to Galahad, this she knew for a fact.
So how then did Galahad seem to know something? Perhaps her
odd behavior the previous night had aroused suspicion in him,
but why would he have asked her specifically about Kolya
unless he was positive Kolya was the culprit?

It didn't matter now.

She leaned into the table, arms lightly crossed. For a long
while Alina remained silent, reflective, gaze averted. She was
still, but not terribly tense, despite the waves of agitation
she felt accumulating from Galahad's side of the table.

"Please believe it had nothing to do with you," Alina pleaded.

The woman idly wondered if it might've made any difference to
explain to Galahad how confused and torn and utterly messed up
she had been at the time - how she still felt the same way
even now - but her conscience wouldn't allow another excuse to
surface. She would own up for her actions. She would take the
blame.

"I was with Kolya," she admitted quietly, her voice thick with
emotion. Alina was hesitant to raise her brown gaze to meet
Galahad's, but the anticipation was unbearable. From beneath
glistening dark lashes, Alina watched him for his reaction.
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golden_trillium

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Author: Pinkie
Date: Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:05 am
Drake


Drake made no reaction to Linnette agreeing with him. He
continued to listen into the conversation, still feeling a
little out of place. And he wasn't sure that his presence was
much welcomed by Linnesse or Derfel. But he couldn't blame
them really. In reality, who was he to be standing around
involved in this conversation of such private matters as where
to house one of their family members? He was just an old
soldier with too much time on his hands, too many emotional
scars from a time long past and too much of a responsibility
complex to let go when the opportunity presented itself.

Linnesse
 
“Derfel, couldn’t she share with us? I mean… Surely two
rooms would be big enough for all of us- and that way
I’ll be close by to help when the baby comes!”


Linnesse's words made Drake's shoulders tense, his face turned
to stone and he looked from the blonde to the top of her
sister's auburn head.

Share?

Immediately Drake tried to pick holes in the idea - like the
fact that such a young and 'active' couple like Linnesse and
Derfel would need private time to themselves, like the fact
that being in such close proximity to a happy, complete couple
would remind Linnette of what she had lost, like the fact that
Drake knew he would not be welcome in the co-joining rooms of
Derfel and Linnesse - but in the overall scheme of things it
did mean Linnette would not be alone, it would mean Linnette
had somewhere to live and she was not sharing with someone she
knew, and it would mean that when she did break down and cry
someone would be there to pick her up again. Even if it wasn't
to be himself.

Resolutely Drake did not think of that last statement - about
the baby. It did no good to consider all that was attached to
the babe that grew within Linnette right now.

Derfel
Linnesse, and Linnette
“I…well I had…aye, it would make things easy and a bit more convenient to be helpin’ out with the little one if we were sharing those adjoining rooms.”

"It would, wouldn't it?"

"Well...I wouldn't want to be a... I suppose it might be best. For now, at least."

"Oh, good! And it will be no trouble at all, Linnette- none. Never think that. Goodness, this will be a big
job,"


Drake stared hard at Derfel, wondering at the man's initial
hesitation. He was prepared to lurch in awkwardly in defense
of Linnette but it seemed there was no need. The Saxon quickly
spat out what he had to say and left the Spaniard wondering
what exactly was between Linnette and Derfel that he had
seemed initially uncertain. And did that mean the blonde would
make things awkward for Linnette whilst sharing the room?

When Linnette looked up at him Drake just glanced down at her,
his green eyes unfathomable. This decision was all hers - he
had no say in it, and should not have a say in it. His eyes
flickered up to catch the momentary flash of irritation in
Linnesse's eyes. He did not react to it but he did make a note
to himself to ensure, with Linnette, that his continued
presence at her back was what she wanted. He was only there
for her - should she wish him to leave her be then he would
disappear. Disappear but remain close enough that he would
hear her call him back.

Linnesse's comment about it being a big job was all too true.
Drake felt he had put himself to the fore a little too much
with his earlier comment about the Optio, but he wanted to
reassure Linnette that he would help her with her side of
things and so he placed his large, rough hand on her shoulder,
waited for her to turn her head and gave her a nod of his
head. He had no official duties until this threat of woad
attack had passed and his soldiers could be spared from their
duties to do extra training.
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golden_trillium

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Author: Darya
Date: Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:14 am
Darya


Cael
 
When you have children, my dear, you will truly understand trust, for they inexplicably give it unconditionally. They will open your heart to endless possibilities. Trust me, I would know… My children may not know me now, but they will. Time can be an endearing thing,"


Darya blinked at Gabriel’s words and just looked at him in silence as she let them sink in. They made her pretty away of how little she knew about children. Except for the few moments with one or two of Vanora’s kids, the Sarmatian had never had much to do with children…so far. And for obvious reasons. She had been trained to kill…surrounded by men mainly. There had been no place for and no time or reason to think of kids. Or having one. Until a few days ago. Pressing her lips into a pensive thin line, the dark-haired did not reply to Gabe’s words but just followed the man until they reached his old home…or so she thought.

However, the strange stench that definitely had its origin
inside the building they were standing in front of soon
distracted her from her thoughts. It let a cool shiver run
down her spine and she unconsciously made a small step
backwards…just to be pretty startled by a male voice suddenly
reaching her ears. Her dark gaze snapped up and fell onto a
really old man with milky white eyes. Darya furrowed her brow…

Old Man
 
"What business have you here?"


The woman’s lips parted…but before she had the chance to say
something, Gabriel already replied to the man. What followed was a brief but pretty informative conversation between the two men, to which Darya listened in silence while her eyes shifted from one man to the other as they spoke. The most interesting part for her was when the old man questioned Gabriel’s identity. It made the Sarmatian frown slightly. Why was he doubting who Gabriel said he was?

But the dark-haired shoved those thoughts aside for now when
she heard that apparently, Gabriel’s wife had died.
Immediately, her gaze was on him…searching for a reaction to
that news. But there was none; nothing obvious at least. Maybe
he had not realized what the old man had said yet. Or what it
meant for him… But for her, it explained the nasty stench,
which still made her feel rather sick.

Pulling her cloak a bit more about her body, Darya then
watched the old man, Hans, slowly walk away when the
conversation with Gabriel had ended. There were some strange
persons living at Badon Hill…and she wondered just how many of
them she would meet in the future…

Cael
 
"Show an old man to the infirmary? Perhaps they might be
there..."


With that, her attention was back on Gabriel…and Darya instinctively grimaced at the mentioning of the infirmary. Definitely her least favourite place at Badon…well, next to the dungeons. But then…Gabriel had only asked her to lead him to that place. No word about accompanying him inside.

Good.

The Sarmatian nodded and gestured into the direction she knew
the infirmary was. “That way”, she said and made the first
steps already. She really wanted to get away from the house
and the stench of death. “I’m…I’m sorry…for your loss…”, Darya
then added and glanced up sideways at Gabriel, “…and I hope the children are alright. What were their names again?”
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golden_trillium

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Author: Pinkie
Date: Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:39 am
Saoirse


Saoirse never liked it when Lancelot smiled at her. It usually
meant he was up to something remembering something that he had
been up to - and neither possibility was a good one. It was
rare that Lancelot was up to something that he aught to be up
to. In a sense he was rather like herself in that respect -
always doing something that you shouldn't be doing. Running
away from home, running away from the past...

Lancelot
 
"My love, you cannot deny that he is my elder, can you?
But ah well, And don't you worry about Arthur giving
orders any time soon. If that 'eejit' tries to get out
of his bed, he will be lashed to it quick as you can say
'bondage. No worries, lamb. Dagonet will stay here for
as long he needs to. And speaking of - "


Saoirse bristled at being called 'love', and positively blew a
blood vessel at 'lamb'. Her nose twitched and her hand about
Dagonet's tightened defensively, her blue eyes flaring up a
cold storm towards Lancelot. She was, however, somewhat
placated by the First Knight's promise not to drag Dagonet out
on any mission by strapping Arthur to a bed. For a moment the
red-head visually probed Lancelot and how he seemed to be
quite ... tense, when speaking of Arthur and getting out of
his bed. The Commander had been injured, she recalled
something on that before but had dismissed it, rather caught
up in her own worries to worry about Arthur.

Such hardship for Arthur was borne quite defensively on
Lancelot's shoulders.

Dagonet
 
"I'm going to be fine.... soon."


Lancelot
 
"You'd best do whatever you need to to make sure that
does happen, friend. I'd rather not have to tie you and
Arthur down."


Soon.

The red head looked down at Dagonet, her hand on his cheek
beginning to stroke again. Gentle sweeps of her thumb against
his stubbled skin with the intention of soothing him. In truth
it was soothing her, reminding her that he was alive, that he
was going to be fine, that he was hers still. Despite
everything, despite all she had done to make him turn her away
he still loved her.

Would Lancelot know a love like that?

Saoirse glanced over at the First Knight and found him to be
looking straight into her eyes.

Dagonet was greeting Bors and there was nowhere else for her
to look - so she met his dark eyes levelly. Penetrating. Did
Lancelot know love like this between her and Dagonet? Did he
understand the terror of recognising that love? Something in
his gaze now told her that there was more, much more to him
than what he ever let on. She had already known that, of
course, but now she realised what these things were that
no-one knew about him. It was his heart, his true feelings. He
broke eye-contact and Saoirse frowned, irritated that he had
looked away and broken that moment where she had been figuring
things out.

Lancelot
 
"He will be cared for. I promise you. Ah, Bors. And here
I'd thought I might have won our bet by default. Dags,
I'm going to report to Arthur that you're functioning -
but listen, old man, if I so much as hear a whisper of
you out of this bed before the warden there, tells you
you can, you'll have me to answer to. And I'm not as
nice as Arthur."


Harumphing, Saoirse looked down at Dagonet again, sliding her
foot up his shin and resting her knee across his, pouting.

"No yer bloody not - an' yer manners are about as refined as a
hangman's." she murmured, giving a small start when Lancelot
crouched next to Dagonet momentarily. Saoirse withdrew her
head, looking at the side of Lancelot's face, seeing his cheek
move as he spoke but not hearing the words. He rose and
started out of the infirmary with record speed leaving Saoirse
gawping after him.

What was that then?

The red head looked down at Dagonet, over at the retreating
back of Lancelot and then back to the tall knight with a
disatisfied growl as she snuggled down next to him, her back
to waking Bors, her face buried in against Dagonet's stiff
neck where she breathed in the warm scent of him with a shaky
breath.

"If he was a colt y'd have sent him off fer meat by now." she
muttered more to herself than to her lover.
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