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June 2008
Topic Started: Mar 23 2010, 07:18 PM (3,708 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Darya
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:19 am
Darya


Drake had noticed Linnette as well...even though it seemed
just because she had been looking at him to see if he had.
Darya’s attention left the stranger yet again when the Roman
soldier moved towards Gedeon’s widow. She watched him taking
care of the other woman and lifted her chin in silent
acknowledgment when Drake signaled her that he had the
situation under control and Linnette was alright…or sort of…

…and then the tavern door was opened yet again. This time it
was Galahad and Gawain entering. A faint smile crossed Darya’s
lips when she looked at her fellow Sarmatians. Well, Galahad
did not exactly look very happy…and Gawain…he seemed to be
distracted somehow. The woman lowered her gaze as she let the
remainder of her tea twirl in the mug…but did watch the two
knights movie towards a table nearby from under her dark
eyelashes…

…until something – or rather someone – blocked her view…

Cáel
 
"Hello, pet, I am called Gabriel...Gabe if you
wish...And, you are?"


Pet? The Sarmatian arched an eyebrow when the odd looking
stranger suddenly stood more or less in front of her and
addressed her in a rather intimate way. Of course he had no
idea that she had been called that before…just in a less
friendly way. Much less friendly…more in the literal meaning
of the word instead.

Blinking, Darya pushed those dark memories of another Roman
Fortress aside and gave the black-white-haired man a wry
smile. Perhaps caused by the smile he was giving her.
Goodness, even Lancelot’s famous charming smile would have a
hard time to compete with this one. Taking her time, the
dark-haired granted herself yet another sip of tea before
actually replying to the stranger’s words.

“Gabriel…”, she repeated his name and gave him a slight nod,
“…pleasure to meet you…” I guess at least. “You are…new to
Badon, are you not?”, the Sarmatian inquired and gestured for
the man to take a seat if he wished. No, she had not given him
her name yet. She meant no disrespect…but it would be safer to
know where he had come from first. And if he would not mention
a certain Roman Commander’s name…or that certain Fortress for
that matter…then she might tell him… One should be cautious
enough with strangers these days...
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:23 am
Titrus


The blond half-smiled at Titrus and twirled a strand of soft,
angel-spun hair between her fingers, sweeping her green eyes
over him. Titrus thought his heart would pound right of his
chest just from looking at her. He could smell her from where
she sat. She smelled beautiful, like a bouquet of flowers- so
soft, so delicate, so fragile. She’s a whore, that inner voice
screamed again. Titrus almost noticeably shook his head to
shut the voice up and to clear the annoying conscious away.
The lieutenant pushed the bowl of long-forgotten soup to the
side and raised his blue eyes to meet her stare, trying hard
not to glance at her beautiful breasts again.

Catherine
 
No.. no, my Lord. Your soup…it’s getting cold


Titrus turned crimson red again at the formality. Nobody but
Deetra had ever called him “my lord” before and that had only
been when had been role-playing ‘Kings and Queens’ during sex.

“How can I eat in the presence of your beauty,” Titrus said
shyly, lowering his head once again. “Er…” he said without
looking at her, “My name is, uh, Titrus,”

The erection in his pants strained against the fabric of his
trousers, trying to burst free. Titrus wanted nothing more
than drive his desire inside of this woman. The thought of her
wetness was enough for him to come. To distract himself,
Titrus looked around the tavern. People had slowly drifted in,
including a couple of Arthur’s knights. Titrus nodded as they
sat down across the room then looked back at the blond.

Oh God! Did she just touch me with her foot?

Catherine
 
You don't mind me sitting at your table do you? I can
move...


“Oh no!” Titrus said a little more desperately than he wanted
to. “I mean,” he said softly, “of course you can sit here.
Please do. I’d like that.”

He watched the woman in amazement as she continued to twirl
her hair between her fingers. He wanted to talk to her and
then later make love to her. Yes, make love to her. He was
willing to pay to do that and that was fine. Titrus just
wanted to do it properly and with respect.

“What is your name?” he asked her, mesmerized.

As she spoke, Titrus watched her – all of her. He memorized
the movement of her lips, her tongue, teeth, cheekbones,
eyebrows – everything about her face. Of course with an
occasional glimpse of her bosom as well. He watched the
crinkles around her eyes when she smiled and the way she
batted her eyelashes. He basked in the huskiness of her voice
which sounded like music to his lonely ears. It had been a
long time since he’d heard a woman’s voice in casual
conversation. All he’d been subjected to was the shrieking of
4 wild females in his home, all jabbering at the same time.

Titrus sighed, waiting and hoping for an opportunity to touch
her.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:54 am
Mari


Was her innocence and easily trusting nature a blessing or a
curse? She watched Milan's face darken, his eyes become angry,
and she felt wronged by his anger, unsure what she had done to
deserve it. The young woman swallowed roughly and looked
positively bereft when Milan's hand dropped away from her
face. She flinched when he pulled the towel from her head and
staggered back a step as it was shoved against her chest. Her
hands instinctively lifted to hold it there but her mouth
gaped in outraged surprise at this turn in his attitude. And
over what?!

Mari's bottom lip pouted outwards and she sniffed indignantly,
adjusting the towel in her arms before hurrying off towards
the baths as ordered by the jut of his thumb. She glanced over
her shoulder at the formidable width of his shoulders as he
folded his arms, biting her bottom lip and feeling... well...
annoyed that he was annooyed.

The young woman hurried to the bath and stripped quickly. She
hunkered down on the first few steps into the pool and
splashed the water up onto her body whilst glancing over her
shoulder to see if Milan was coming. Mari continued washing in
this hurried, awkward fashion and each splash of water seemed
to wash away her anger and leave her feeling bad for having
upset Milan. It was somethign she did, she knew that. Maybe
she could make it up to him... but how?

Mari used the towel to dry her body quickly. She wrapped the
towel around her body and turned to hurry out to Milan,
leaving her clothes behind a moment. This was not something
that would wait.

"Milan -- Milan, I'm sorry." she whispered, trotting up behind
him, sliding a hand up his back to his shoulders as she came
around to stand in front of him. Her bandaged hand was soaked
but clean, holding the towel about her chest. She looked up at
him with large, apologetic brown eyes and wished she could
understand why he was angry. "I don't know what I did to upset
you, but please don't be angry with me. I can't stand it. I
hate it - please don't be angry. Was it that other man? You
didn't think..." Mari found the idea of jealousy and Milan to
be almost like chalk and cheese, and yet it seemed the most
logical explanation, didn't it? "You don't think I... we ..
were..." Mari stammered, shaking her head and looking up
pleadingly at the young male, her cheeks flushing red with
embarrasment.









Galahad

Oh given a reversal of the circumstances Galahad knew he would
have been on the receiving end of a 'I'm-fine-gods-damn-it'
from Gawain. His ire and irritation was only skin deep, his
impatience and want to forget about the wound and who had
bandaged it made him feel more irritable than normal. He
didn't want to think about Alina right now. Even the
suggestion of her name made his heart jump into his mouth - an
undeniable and painful surge of emotions racing through his
body.

Had she really been kissing that guy?!

The welcome warmth and familiarity of the tavern surrounded
them both. Galahad blew out a breath, pushing his hood down as
he shook his head to dispel the drops of water that had clung
to his black hair. He nodded his head towards a table on one
side of the tavern but was stopped by Gawain -strangely.

Gawain
 
“Not that way. Let’s sit over here.”


"Sure..." Galahad agreed readily, but his brow furrowed as he
walked ahead of Gawain, sliding into a seat with his back to
the wall, facing his blonde companion. He shrugged out of his
cloak and tossed it onto the stool next to them then sat back
on the bench, his arms spread out across the back of it, his
long fingers curled downwards against the wood as he gave
Gawain a curious look.

His mouth opened and he made eye contact with a serving wench.
He indicated 'two' with his fingers and she nodded, busying
herself with preparing two mugs of ale for him and Gawain.
Galahad then raised his eyebrows, looking back at the
long-haired Sarmatian, waiting quietly.

After a long while he broke the silence -

"Well? What's going on then? You said you had something to
tell me... is it about the blonde wench? Why so secretive...?"
he gave a token grin of encouragement to Gawain but his heart
was really not in it. He was too conflicted to truly encourage
any scoundrel like activities in his brother.
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golden_trillium

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Author: Starbelle
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:17 pm
Tatiana


Sorting through all of the advice that Lavina had given her
back in the infirmary about her and Brendyn and guys in
general, Tatiana, her mind in the middle of mentally filing
and figuring things out didn't see Adian up ahead of her and
accidently bumped into him in the process of figuring
everything out as she wasn't paying attention to where she was
going while she was mentally figuring things out.

"Whoops, sorry Adian. I didn't mean to run into you. Are you
ok?"

She asked after coming out of her musings concerned that she
may have accidently hurt him somehow. After crashing into him
like she did and remembering how he acted in the tavern,
Tatiana wasn't sure if he'd still be in the same frame of mind
or different.
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golden_trillium

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Author: Pinkie
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:07 pm
Catherine


Sometimes it was terribly easy to be breath-takingly
beautiful. Catherine sat with bare a movement of her body but
she knew she had this male within the palm of her hand. The
flush of color to his cheeks was entirely unexpected and, not
for the first time, Catherine knew that she had been perceived
to be something entirely more elaborate than a mere whore. She
was not going to believe that this man had never been with a
woman, or a whore to be precise, but she did presume that it
had been a while judging by his reactions.

Titrus
 
“How can I eat in the presence of your beauty, Er… My
name is, uh, Titrus,”


Sweet. Very sweet.

Catherine gave Titrus a pleasant smile at his compliment, her
lips tugging outwards in a simpering smile as she tilted her
head to the other side. She had his name now - Titrus. It was
a familiar name and it took her a moment to recognise that he
was Captain Barbattus' second. Of course Catherine had not had
engagements with either man in the past but she had had
engagements with their minions who had spoken of them whilst
in her arms.

Just as her foot brushed against his shin the door of the
tavern opened and a gust of cool air whisked across her neck.
The blonde didn't turn around but out of the corner of her eye
she was certain she had seen blonde. And a familiar blonde at
that. It was her turn to blush though she made it a pretty
showing as she dipped her head at Titrus' kindness.

Titrus
 
“Oh no! I mean, of course you can sit here. Please do.
I’d like that. What is your name?”


A need to be out of eyeshot of Gawain whilst doing her job,
Catherine found her heart thundering in her chest, the blood
pounding in the artery in her neck, sending heat about her
body that was entirely unrelated to the kindness of Titrus'
tone as he asked her her name. The blonde smiled, a genuine
smile, always encouraged that a potential customer was
interested in her enough to ask her name.

"Catherine." it sounded foreign the way she whispered it.
Loosing the strands of hair from her fingers, the whore
reached across the table to touch her hand to Titrus'
soldier's fist in greeting. "My name is Catherine." the woman
smiled then withdrew her hand. She straightened up and blew
out a breath from her perfectly plump lips, looking over one
shoulder and then back at Titrus with a pretty flush to her
cheeks.

"Goodness - is it just me or has it suddenly become unbearably
stuffy in here?" Catherine asked in a sing-song voice, her
hazy green eyes twinkling as she cast a look towards the back
door of the tavern and tilted her head in such a fashion that
it may, or may not, have been a suggestion for them to leave
together.

Her intense green eyes asked silently if he understood her
intentions, wordlessly asking him if he had a use of her and
what she could do for a man. The hand that had earlier touched
his in greeting slid across the table again, one fingernail
touching the veins on the back of his hand.

The smile on her lips was whimsical.

"You know... there are other things that I am capable of doing
that you may like too, Titrus, my lord." she insisted on the
title with a wry grin, mischief lighting her pale features.
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golden_trillium

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Author: lady ione
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:18 pm
Adian


The man was immersed in sorrow and felt that there was no
comfort in sight for him...or perhaps it was all a judgement
on he and Thorn for making love in the confessional when first
they had met. Adian almost laughed at the memory, and how
their first bout of lovemaking had been both passionate and
spontanious. He had truly loved her...his free spirit. He
hoped that they'd bury her under a tree that would flower
every Spring, and there'd be flowers about it. DAMN IT ALL! If
he hadn't gotten all shit faced with that uncaring woman in
the infirmary, he'd have been here for Thorn to protect her.
She'd still be alive....

Adian was so immersed in his thoughts that he had not seen
Tatiana come out of nowhere and bump into him. Small world we
live in... He sort of caught her arms with his hands to make
sure she did not fall backwards into the mud....

Tatiana
 
"Whoops, sorry Adian. I didn't mean to run into you. Are
you ok?"


Am I okay? Heather gray eyes looked into her green ones...eyes
that were filled with sadness, but he gave her a smile none
the less. He recognized her as the young lady from the tavern
who had tried to comfort him. After the way he had yelled at
her, Adian was surprised to see her speaking to him even. He
had been a surly brute to her when all she had tried to do was
help him out. Bowing slightly to the petite young woman, Adian
said softly, 'Aye, I am fine, lass...tis hard to lose someone
you love very much.' He paused for a moment, then said, "I am
sorry I yelled at ye back in the tavern. Ye meant well...it
was the shock of having the news so bluntly put forth.." The
hunter/carpenter took a good look at her.

She was naturally lovely with hair the color of brown autumn
leaves and cheeks full of the blushing rose...eyes like a deep
forest. Tatiana was someone he could easily love...that
sparkle in her eyes that yelled out "mischief". 'If you are
not doing anything, Tatiana. I would be glad of the
company...I was going to walk over to the herb garden and pick
some wild thymn to place on Thorn's grave...if I can find
it...' He thought of Fiona, and hoping that she'd understand
the need to find where Thorn was buried. If he did not find
her grave, Adian felt he could easily carve her a statue out
of oak out whatever wood was availible...then pick out a spot
she would have loved, and place the statue there.
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golden_trillium

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Author: golden_trillium
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:29 pm
Linnette


Drake
 
"Thank you. She's fine. Regardless - you need to eat.
Did you get what work you had to do completed?"


"Mmhmh." Linnette made a soft affirmative noise and nodded,
her eyes dubiously on the bowl of stew, which seemed to have
taken on a personality of its own, sitting there looking back
at her, as if wondering whether she was going to eat it or
not. A shadow crossed her, on the other side from Drake, and
she looked up to see the serving girl coming back, and took a
breath, readying herself to reluctantly give some explanation-
but on her other side, a dismissive glare from Drake seemed to
convince the woman that further assistance was not needed. As
she walked away, looking a little put out, Linnette let out
the breath she had been holding, feeling some of the tension
drain away with it. Relief- she wouldn't have to explain
herself to even more people. Maybe she could eat.

Cautiously, still keeping her eyes on the bowl as if its
contents were some sort of living creature, Linnette edged her
fingers toward the spoon that had come with the dish. Once her
fingers were wrapped around the smooth wooden handle, she
scooted the bowl closer with the other hand- and fought down
momentary queasiness as the rising steam hit her nostrils.
Still, something compelled her to go on, now, seeking food
even though her body was still thinking about rebelling.

"Maybe you're right," she confessed in an absent whisper to
Drake, not looking at him, but dipping the spoon instead, her
eyes fixed on the bowl. The first bite she nearly gagged on-
the fatty richness of the meat overwhelming her and sickening
her- but her throat clutched down and swallowed it anyway, and
then hunger- real hunger- surged to the fore as that first
bite settled in her stomach. Without any thought for
appearance, without any thought at all, she suddenly found
herself scooping and swallowing as fast as she could, burning
her mouth and not caring, barely chewing the meat in her rush
to fill her stomach. The more she ate, the better it tasted,
and it was indeed with disappointment that she realized, a
very short time later, that the bowl was completely empty. She
ran the spoon eagerly around the edges again, scraping up the
very last bits of flavor, and sucked it off with something
approaching relish before looking up at Drake again, a small,
sheepish smile turning up her lips.

"You were right," she confessed abashedly. He had just seen
her stuff herself like a pig- but oddly enough, she didn't
mind too much. Some food had been what she needed after all-
now that she thought about it, before that stew, she hadn't
taken anything but a few sips of water since yesterday noon.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:49 pm
Drake


Protective wasn't quite the word one could use when describing
Drake's attitude towards Linnette. Defensive would be better.
He automatically assumed people approaching her would upset
her in some fashion or other so he did not see himself as
protecting her, but rather defending her from those who would,
accidentally, upset her. She made an affirmative noise to his
question and the Spaniard gave a curt nod of his head, already
wondering what else it was that she had said she needed to do.

Linnette
 
"Maybe you're right, You were right,"


She was looking away from him which allowed Drake to watch her
all the more closely. Her murmured admission was met with a
stiff nod of confidence from Drake. He knew she was hungry.
She was eating for two after all. And even if she wasn't
hungry, he was not going to stand by and allow her to deny her
body and baby what it so obviously needed. She was mourning,
not dying.

Drake relaxed on the third spoonful that was emptied into her
mouth. His whole posture became one of mere amused observation
than guard. He rested his elbow on the bar but kept his
position by her side resolutely, not wanting anyone to either
disturb her eating or ruin his amusement at just how hungry
she raelly was once she got a taste for it. His wry smile was
rewarded with a sheepish one from Linnette once she finished.
He breathed a half-laugh, feeling gifted in seeing her smile
having only just wondered if he would ever see such a thing
again.

"Learn to trust me."

Without thought, Drake ruined it all. The casual easiness
between them had made him drop a wall or two and his hand, his
treacherous hand, lifted, palm placed softly on her cheek. His
broad thumb swept upwards against her cheek and slowly his
expression hardened once he realised that he had crossed a
line.

That was not his face to stroke. It was not his skin to
caress. It was not his place nor entitlement to
indiscriminately touch her with such affection. He did not
whip his hand back though inside he could feel the lash of his
emotions as he wrapped them back up inside. His hand fell to
his side and he looked down at the ground, his posture
stiffening once more.

"Sorry." he murmured, his fingers curling into his palm, the
left hurting as the bandage was pressed down into the wound.
He cleared his throat and looked up at a point above
Linnette's head - "Have some more. I will enquire about your
new residence." Drake said with a hint of a question at the
end, not wanting to take over completely but also feeling that
the move was going to be painful enough for her without having
to do the hunting for this new abode.
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golden_trillium

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Author: Starbelle
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:17 pm
Tatiana


Adian
 
"I am sorry I yelled at ye back in the tavern. Ye meant
well...it was the shock of having the news so bluntly
put forth.."


"Its ok, Adian. Apology accepted, really, it is. When you feel
ready and up to doing so, I'd love to hear all about your
Thorn. She sounded like someone very special. I'd like to get
to know her through you." Tatiana replied, mentally bracing
herself for another one of his angry outbursts.

Having him look at her like he was, brought another shy blush
to her cheeks as she looked into Adian's deep heather grey
eyes as she felt the warmth of her cheeks in response as he
looked her over with his mesmerizing, hypnotizing heather grey
eyes.

Thankful for his steadying grip on her arms with his hands,
she felt shy all over again, but in a different way with him
than with Brendyn, she just couldn't figure out why and at the
moment, Tatiana just didn't care, either.

Adian
 
'If you are not doing anything, Tatiana. I would be glad
of the company...I was going to walk over to the herb
garden and pick some wild thymn to place on Thorn's
grave...if I can find it...'


"No, I'm not doing anything and I'd enjoy your company as
well, Adian. I'd really like to get to know you a bit better,
if I may and if you'll allow me, too, that is." The stable
girl asked him as she tilted her head sideways to glance at
him shyly under her lowered lashes.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:21 pm

Tristan


Neeria
 
”I am ready.”


Ready indeed. Tristan pushed himself away from the partition
behind him with a rather forced nonchalance, and narrowed his
eyes up at the Woad woman, perched awkwardly on the mare. She
had been rather more creative in finding a way to get up there
than Tristan had thought she might- but he still had nothing
but contempt for her. She was still an enemy, a barbarian, and
just as he had predicted, she sat there like a meal sack. At
least, she sat for now…but what would happen when they got
moving?

“You wanna tie her?” the scout, asked, shooting a questioning
glance to Barbattus. Almost unconsciously, his hand crept
towards his saddlebag, where he had, among other things, a
coil of rope that might come in very handy in ensuring that
the prisoner stayed on her mount- and out of trouble.












Linnette

Drake
 
”Learn to trust me.”


The meaning of his words had just barely registered with
Linnette when suddenly his hand was on her cheek, cupping it
softly, as gently as one might a baby’s. Her eyes flew further
open, big and round, and she stiffened, looking at him in
confusion and consternation as his thumb swept up her cheek in
an unmistakable caressing motion. She could feel bandage cloth
over his palm, hard callouses, and gentleness, almost
unbearable gentleness.

Gedeon come back to me, the absurd thought flashed into her
head, before more rational thoughts bundled it up and sent it
packing away. A touch just like that was not really
characteristic of Gedeon- he would probably have run his hand
over her hair and kissed her forehead in a similar position.
It was different…different and she was not sure what to think
of it. One thing it wasn’t, though, was pitying- and she was
glad of that. She couldn’t detect any feeling of being sorry
for her in Drake’s manner. It was just…well, she didn’t know
what. It had caught her too much by surprise.

And Drake seemed to be regretting it now, whatever that had
been. His hand dropped, as did his gaze, and he seemed
embarrassed, speaking much more formally now and not really
looking at her.

Drake
 
”Sorry. Have some more. I will inquire about your new
residence.”


So formal and precise, those words- completely at odds with
their easiness with each other just a moment ago. It always
went like this- easy, then awkward, then easy, then awkward.
Never the same for long. And apparently, they were now on
awkward again. But she didn’t want him to feel obligated to
run more errands for her- he had devoted most of his day to
helping her already, and surely he must have other things to
do.

“You…you don’t have to…I don’t want to keep you from…” she
shrugged and trailed off, not wanting him to think she was
ungrateful either. It would be a relief to know where she must
move to, what was in store for her next- and she would be
grateful for whatever Drake could manage to do. But she felt
bad enough about monopolizing his time…surely it wasn’t right
to accept even more of it.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:24 pm
Adian


He pulled his cloak closer about him as he waited for
Tatiana's answer. Looking about him, he saw the amount of
carpentry work that needed to be done. Thankfully the barn was
still standing...

Tatiana
 
"Its ok, Adian. Apology accepted, really, it is. When
you feel ready and up to doing so, I'd love to hear all
about your Thorn. She sounded like someone very special.
I'd like to get to know her through you."


Adian raised an eyebrow at her request....the same request she
had made in the tavern when he blew at her. Would he feel
comforted by speaking of Thorn to someone he hardly knew? He
left out a heavy sigh, thankful that she was kind enough to
accept his apology. 'Would ye now?' Adian's soft accent shone
through the sadness of his voice. He was indeed glad for her
company, and wondered if she was an angel as she had appeared
seemingly out of no where. Looking at Tatiana, he replied,
'Aye, Thorn was special...very special." His gaze went to the
heavens as he continued, 'Walk with me, and I will tell you of
her.' Adian saw Tatiana blush...the way her eyes seemed to dig
into his soul. The death of Thorn was still too close for him
to immediately start in on a new relationship...friends for
now.

Tatiana
 
"No, I'm not doing anything and I'd enjoy your company
as well, Adian. I'd really like to get to know you a bit
better, if I may and if you'll allow me, too, that is."


The way Tatiana looked at him through the long lashes...now he
knew why he loved flirting with women, though none had been as
good at it as Tatiana, and the look she just gave him proved
it. So a woman who likes to flirt, eh? Adian's gaze softened,
but he winced a bit as he moved his still healing arm where
the spear head had been removed. Do you really want to know me
better? What is it about me that makes you want to know me? He
smiled slightly, "Do ye now, Tatiana? Do ye really want to
know me?" Adian took her arm in his calloused hand, and led
her down a path toward the herb gardens. It was a nice garden
and secluded. Not that he'd do anything to Tatiana, but he
perhaps would feel better telling her of Thorn without others
around. "So, perhaps you told me when we first met, but what
do you do here at the fort?" Adian quaried....
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golden_trillium

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Author: linnet
Date: Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:13 pm

Gawain


Gawain leaned his body forward, resting his elbow on the
table, and rubbing his forehead with the upraised thumb and
fingers. His hair dangled around his face and arm in wet
clumps. He was angry at himself. He had no business being
affected by Catherine’s presence. He hardly knew her, but the
trouble was, how he preferred to know her was so far askew
from what he’d see if he turned around to look. He was
determined not to look, but the knowledge that she was there
was like an insistent force at his back, prodding and
distracting. His self-directed anger was fueled by the
realization that he would be faced with this over and over
again. The tavern was the most logical place for Catherine to
pick up customers. And Gawain would be damned if he’d avoid
the place because of her. Especially now that he planned to
spend a lot of time here amassing money to pay for his
impulsive weapon purchase.

Something else had him troubled, and it took a few minutes to
sort out what it was. He was realizing that Catherine would
probably always be working when their paths crossed. If he
wanted to talk to her, he’d only cut into the time she could
be doing business. And being seen with her would only
discourage potential liaisons. The thought that he wouldn’t be
able to hear of her mysterious places and creatures, or see
her bright curiosity again, hit him hard. It felt like a heavy
door slamming shut.

The blonde knight lifted his head from his hand when a serving
girl deposited two brimming ales on the table. He quickly
pulled out enough coins to cover both drinks, waving off
Galahad from paying. He rewarded the girl with an extra coin
and a smile, although there wasn’t much behind it. He picked
up one of the ales and raised the tankard, toast-like, toward
Galahad. Then he took a long, deep, and very welcome drink. He
set the tankard down, then simultaneously let out a breath of
satisfaction, and wiped the back of his hand across his mouth
and moustache. He savored the taste and sense of relaxation of
the ale, so preferable to the crappy wine he’d had last night.

Galahad
 
"Well? What's going on then? You said you had something
to tell me... is it about the blonde wench? Why so
secretive...?"


Gawain sat back and took another, not quite so long, drink,
before finally feeling ready to talk. “I’m not being
secretive. Cowardly maybe, but not secretive,” he said with a
self deprecating smile. “What’s going on is that Brianna’s
gone. She just up and left while we were away. All she told
Fiona was that she was going back to her people because she
didn’t feel safe here, and because I wasn’t ready to commit to
things.” He watched intently across the table for Galahad’s
reaction. “She didn’t even wait to find out if I came back
from that battle or not, you know? “ Pausing after another
drink, Gawain shook his head slowly and sighed. “I
thought……Hell, I don’t know what I thought. She can do what
she wants with her life, but that’s our baby she’s going to
have, not just hers….I guess I really fucked things up,
getting myself into all this, and then not being able to make
it work.”
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golden_trillium

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Author: sabor ice
Date: Thur Jun 05, 2008 12:25 am
Mordred


Mordred didn't look up when someone rapped on his door. He
continued to admire the various pieces of spruced up armor
sprawled across the table. Honoring his appearance was
something the knight treated diligently. It was a token of
certain class, further distinguishing him from the filth bred
of Sarmatian whores he was forced to serve with. It wasn't
just appearance, though, oh no - it was also about
presentation. He strove to make his pristine. Just because he
paraded around pretending to be like one of the inferior
didn't justify cause to smell or look like one of them.

"Enter," he passively obliged, his back still to the door as
it flew open.

Amadeus
 
"Lord Mordred -- Arthur has put me at the head of a
mission to treat with the woads, and I would like for
you to accompany me."


The sound of the Optio's voice should've been enough to call
any man to direct attention before a superior officer, but
Mordred did not even break contact with his task as Amadeus
spoke. The knight listened with general interest, the smile
that slowly spread across his face incorrigible. He was
clearly pleased by this new opportunity to overshadow Arthur's
apparent lack of capability to carry out this mission himself.

He lifted his sword from the table, angling the blade
vertically as he admired the sweet craftsmanship, turning to
face Amadeus.

"And how fairs our beloved Commander?" Mordred wondered, his
tone palpably sarcastic.

His eyes were dark with amusement, his smirk wicked as he
sheathed his sword in its rightful place by his side. His hand
momentarily rested on the hilt as he turned partially back to
the table, producing the pieces of his armor and appropriately
dressing them upon his person.

"Resting comfortably while the Sarmatian dog's head lays in
his lap, I presume?" he snorted, throwing a glance back at the
Optio.









Cáel

Darya
 
“Gabriel…pleasure to meet you...You are…new to Badon,
are you not?”


Goodness, he would never get used to masquerading behind the
name of his former lover! It was admittedly silly to begin
with, but the Goth wasn't fond of being precarious. Surely the
children wouldn't know the difference, having been far too
young upon their father's departure to remember his face, and
if Gabriel's wife was as mentally unstable as he had claimed,
she also would be no obstacle. However, the Goth had no way of
knowing just how many other people at the fort might remember
the real Gabriel. Cáel couldn't allow himself to be caught in
this lie like a fly to a web so easily - it would've soured
his efforts and caused him to abandon this whole shenanigan.
And, defeat never sat well with him. Once people started
asking too many questions, it would become much too risky. He
had to strike while the iron was hot!

He gave a gracious nod of his head and sat down across from
Darya.

"Actually, I've only returned - from Eburacum - on business,"
Cáel replied, and conspicuously nudged the saddle bag on the
floor with his foot. "My wife and two daughters live here at
the fortress. They aren't expecting me, see? I'm hoping to
pleasantly surprise them."

The man cocked his head to the side, a lop-sided grin playing
across his face as he observed Darya.

"Enjoying that, are you, love?" he mused, with a subtle jut of
his chin toward the mug of tea in her hands.

Of course Cáel hadn't missed that she hadn't yet answered his
earlier question. He wondered if she had darted his inquiry
out of reluctance, or if she had simply been more pre-occupied
with sipping her beverage.









Milan

Mari
 
"Milan -- Milan, I'm sorry. I don't know what I did to
upset you, but please don't be angry with me. I can't
stand it. I hate it - please don't be angry."


Milan was torn between feeling angry and chagrin as Mari
slipped by him without another word. His one hand cupped his
elbow as he pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb
and forefinger. He closed his eyes and blew out a deep sigh,
listening to the frantic sloshing of water from the bath
somewhere behind him.

A small measure of relief washed through him to hear her speak
- at least she was not ignoring him as he had expected her to
do. His hand dropped away from his face when he felt her small
hand on his back. He inclined his head toward her voice as she
came beside him, but he did not yet turn to meet her gaze.

Apart of him wanted to instinctively repent for upsetting her,
while the other half of told him to stand his ground. Had he
had the right to be angry with her? At first, he had thought
so, but as the uneasy silence stretched, he started to doubt
his motive. Mari was smart and she was a woman - surely she
was able to make decisions for herself. She knew what was best
for her, not him. If she had sensed no danger from the
stranger out in the rain, then perhaps he was simply
overreacting. Ignorance was bliss - thinking of the
alternative was positively gut-wrenching.

Mari
 
"Was it that other man? You didn't think...You don't
think I... we .. were..."


Of course not! he thought, his blue gaze flashing to her face,
realizing what she had been trying to get at. He shook his
head fiercely. Jealousy hadn't even crossed his mind at the
time. The only thing he could think about was protecting her
from potential harm, protecting her from being hurt again!

Milan's face dropped. He knew she wouldn't understand his
plethora of emotions. What good was he? What actually made him
think he was good enough to take care of her when he couldn't
even verbally communicate with her?! His features softened as
he shook his head sadly. He stepped forward and wrapped his
arms around her lithe form, his head dipping into her shoulder
where his lips rested against her bare skin there. His eyes
closed and he sighed again, hoping she'd at least understand
this silent apology.
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golden_trillium

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Author: Pinkie
Date: Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:30 am
Drake


How bloody masochistic!!

Drake knew that this way led to nothing but an ongoing misery
for him, watching Linnette mourn for her husband, watching her
stomach grow with the life of the child she carried, the life
of her husband's child. He knew the unpredictable nature of
his own emotions that would inevitably lead to him hurting her
... wouldn't it? Could he restrain himself enough for long
enough so as not to hurt her? Could he have the patience it
would take to see her through her grief and out the other
side?

Dare he?

For on the other side of her grief she would see that it was
he who had stood by her all that time, she would feel indebted
to him because it was her nature to give and take - not just
take. And was it the right thing to do, to lead her to that
point? Was it deceptive? Drake had designs upon her and he
hated himself for it... and yet he trusted no other person in
the world to care for her, to protect her and ... and yes,
indeed, to protect her unborn child.

But was that the best thing for her?

Linnette
 
“You…you don’t have to…I don’t want to keep you from…”


Her stammering words took him out of his internal quandry,
making him face the here and now instead of the distant
future. His green eyes were hard, harder than normal, and his
brow was creased with the conflict of his earlier thoughts.
Drake shook his head at her suggestion that he had anything
else to do.

He did. But nothing was as important as ensuring she was taken
care of right now. Work would beckon soon enough but only when
the situation with the woads was sorted would the training
begin again. As it was all the men that he spent his time
training had been called in to stand guard on the walls and
organise the movement to the fortress squad bay from the
burned out barracks.

"From nothing." he finished her sentence and shrugged, placing
his hand flat on the table. He drummed his fingers, looking
over his shoulder to make eye contact with the barmaid who was
watching him warily. He nodded his head towards the bowl which
was empty, indicating another to be brought out, then turned
back to Linnette.

"Stay. Eat. I will come back for you." he intoned seriously,
not wanting to sound so informal after such a blundering
indiscretion earlier. He curled his fingers into his palm,
wanting to pat her hand in reassurance but knowing he should
not. Drake pushed from the bar and instead, placed a hand on
Linnette's shoulder as he walked by, a brief touch to let her
know that he was ... going? gone? Hell, it was just to touch
her for the sake of it.









Galahad

Galahad liked to think he was just the same as the other
Knights. He vied to be like them. He struggled to act the way
they acted. It was a curse of the youngest of the pack to try
emulate the ways of the older. So he treated women the way he
thought his brothers-in-arms did. He drank the way they drank,
thought the way they thought and felt the way he presumed the
others felt. What Galahad never realised was... it was all a
front. Oh he knew his brothers inside and out, knew what would
make them tick and what would make them explode, but he didn't
really know the intricacies of them the way he thought he did.
He took his brothers at face-value.

For instance, he would never have thought that Gawain would be
... soft for a whore. And not because she was gorgeous - but
because she was smart.

Oblivious...

The youngest Knight lifted his mug in a mirror-toast to the
blonde Knight and took a long swig, revelling in the potential
to forget his woes at the bottom of the tankard. To forget
Alina and how her little body had been held so tightly by
another man, how her lips had been ... GAH! Another long
guzzle of ale followed the first leaving Galahad with less
than half left. He wiped the back of his hand against his
mouth, lifting his eyebrows as Gawain began to speak.

Gawain
 
“I’m not being secretive. Cowardly maybe, but not
secretive, What’s going on is that Brianna’s gone. She
just up and left while we were away. All she told Fiona
was that she was going back to her people because she
didn’t feel safe here, and because I wasn’t ready to
commit to things. She didn’t even wait to find out if I
came back from that battle or not, you know? I
thought……Hell, I don’t know what I thought. She can do
what she wants with her life, but that’s our baby she’s
going to have, not just hers….I guess I really fucked
things up, getting myself into all this, and then not
being able to make it work.”


Galahad listened, his mouth dropped open and his eyes turned a
steely blue, furious that Brianna had done this to his friend!

"Gone? Just ... up and gone?" he murmured, shaking his head in
astonishment. And with the baby?! Galahad didn't even want to
think about that. He almost thought to tell Gawain that it was
probably for the best in case it was a boy and the Romans
conscripted him when he came of age! But he thought better of
it, reading between the lines of what Gawain said. He was
really, truly upset about this.

Would calling her a bitch make things better? Probably not.
Would telling Gawain he was raelly sorry make him feel better?
Nah.

Perhaps reminding Gawain that this now meant he could bed any
woman he wanted again... ? Definitely not.

Sympathise, empathise...

The dark haired knight never let his eyes slip from Gawain's
face but his own face had slumped into abject misery.

"Alina is cheating on me." he blurted out then felt his cheeks
flush with embarrassment. He frowned, looking down at the
table, lifting the mug to his lips and took yet another long,
hard gulp, swallowing it noisily. Was it selfish to turn the
conversation to his own woes? No - that was not what Galahad
wanted to do. He wanted to show Gawain that…

"Women just aren't fucking worth it brother. It's nothing to
do with you or me, Gawain. It's them. They're the ones with
the problems. Not us." he pouted sulkily, his head cocking to
one side. He couldn't look at Gawain having admitted what he
just had, and so he busied himself pulling splinters of wood
from teh edge of the table.









Amadeus

Amadeus did not take it as an affront that Mordred did not
snap to attention. Once inside the room he cuold see the
Knight was readying his armour, and an impressive arrangement
it was indeed. The Optio made himself comfortable leaning
against the chest by the wall, folding his arms over his chest
and pinching his chin between his fingers. His brow was
furrowed, his grey eyes distant in thought. How was he going
to go about this. There was no way he was going to even
attempt to treat with Merlin. He would warn the woad. He would
threaten him, cow him into submission. He could show Merlin
the true might of the Empire.

Mordred
 
"And how fairs our beloved Commander? Resting
comfortably while the Sarmatian dog's head lays in his
lap, I presume?"


Scipio snorted in amusement at Mordred's phrasing, folding
both arms over his broad chest now as he lifted his grey eyes
from the sword to the man's face.

"He is injured but I am unsure how badly. I would probably
never have guessed if that healer had not been so bloody
brazen in cutting in and ordering the Commander on what he
should and should not do. Honestly... It is laughable."
Amadeus rolled his grey eyes and pushed off from the dresser.
He turned towards the door intent on leaving to get his things
together, but as he did so he called out to Mordred.
"Send a boy to ready your horse, Mordred, and arrive a few
moments late. I want your presence to be a surprise to the
others." the Optio ordered, nto wanting anyone to go running
to Arthur and whining that Amadeus was bringing someone else
along. Arthur had not told him not to bring anyone else so
where was the problem? Right.
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golden_trillium

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Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:46 am

Arthur


Arthur’s side throbbed as he inhaled a deep sigh and stretched
out both of his long legs on the bed. He slid his hand up
underneath his tunic. Thick fingers gently probed at the row
of stitches beneath his dressing and found a tiny amount of
dampness there. A soft groan vibrated in his throat. No doubt
the physical measures Arthur had been forced to take earlier
to prevent Lancelot from reaching Scipio had resulted in some
damage to Neeve’s fine stitchery. Yet, the damage to Lancelot
would have been far worse had Arthur not intervened.

Punishment. What would truly be fitting for Lancelot’s crime?
How could Arthur find it in his logical mind or in his heart
to punish his lieutenant for his obvious actions in defense of
his weakened and wounded commanding officer? Reward is loyalty
with a flogging? No. Certainly the First Knight’s temper would
be the end of him one day….but not this day. Arthur’s lip
curled up into a wry grin as one thought came to him….Perhaps
no ale for a week would do.

“Lancelot, how you complicate my life and my command.” Arthur
said aloud while slightly rolling his head from side to side.

Not wanting to think on the matter any longer, Arthur sighed
and retrieved the hand from underneath his tunic to scrub his
fingers over his darkly stubbled face. His green eyes then
shut against the glowing light of the fire in the hearth and
he attempted to find solace in prayer. God would surely guide
him, God would provide…..

In the few quiet moments before Arthur drifted off into a
light slumber he prayed for peace; he prayed for the safe
return of the men he’d been forced to send on this urgent
mission in his stead and he prayed for the Optio’s success in
his negotiations with Merlin. And then Arthur prayed for a
clear understanding of the bond between he and Lancelot and of
the love between he and Darya – could Arthur at last find a
sliver of peace in his heart? Arthur had felt the great weight
of guilt again as it pressed down on his chest at the loss of
yet another one of his knights. Gedeon had not deserved such
an end. Arthur had seen the deep pains in Dagonet’s eyes at
the loss of his son. He had seen the incredible heartbreak and
sorrow that dominated Linnette’s gentle eyes. And Arthur knew
he could never stomach being the cause of that same pain in
Darya’s soulful eyes….nor in Lancelot’s fiery amber ones.

Arthur’s life was forfeit. He was a soldier; Rome’s and God’s
mighty warlord – defender of peace and order here at Badon
Keep, along the great Wall. He was not a husband or a father.
Arthur was only a dutiful son and solemn servant to his faith.
His hand reached for his father’s cross where is lay pressed
to his skin just below his throat. A rough fingertip slowly
caressed the smooth metal surface of the symbol of his faith.

Weakness, exhaustion and never ending pain – both physical and
emotional – won out at last, no more thought, only darkness as
Arthur slipped into sleep….never hearing the next interruption
as yet another firm rap came at his door.
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