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August 2008
Topic Started: Apr 12 2010, 09:09 PM (2,834 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:35 pm
Ione


Ione was tired as it had been a very long day for her, and the
worries and cares of late had made her heart feel heavy.
Linnesse looked a tad tired as well, though Ione reminded
herself that the other woman had been asleep. She still needed
rest to recover, and Ione had not slept well in..well she
could not recall the last time she had slept through the
night, peaceful and undisturbed. Dark eyes still shining with
tears, watched as Linnesse sank into the chair nearby.
Somewhere inside, Ione suddenly felt selfish for just dumping
all of her worries and such on Linnesse, but right now, she
had no one else....

Linnesse
 
"Advice? My sister is in the same position you are, but
still I don't think I have any advice.  Vanora might- at least I'm sure she'll understand,"


Ione toyed with the ring on her finger, then looked up at
Linnesse. Her sister was Linnette, or so she had heard. She
and Linnette had had their differences in the past, but Ione
now wondered what had happened. She recalled the wedding of
Linnette to a young knight named Gedeon during the Harvest
Festival...Ione had said a blessing on them as she had been
voted harvest queen. Some blessing that turned out to be....
Ione thought ruefully. "But Linnette is married to a fine
young man, isn't she?" The young woman wondered what had
happened since she had been gone. So many things had changed
so far. "How is your sister?" Not meaning to, Ione stiffled a
yawn that came anyway. She just plain felt drained, and
promised herself she'd not keep Linnesse up too much longer
either.

Ione stood from where she sat, and pulled her cloak closer
about her. It seemed like this winter had brought nothing but
hardship to the fort, and things seemed much more tense than
when she had left. "Aye, I am sure Vanora could help...though
I am not sure she'd understand about one losing a loved one in
her life...Raising children though is one thing she could help
with." Ione tried to smile through the tears, but it only came
out a half smile. At the mention of Accolon's name though,
Ione looked down at Linnesse...

Linnesse
 
"You...you still talk with Accolan?"


Ione wished she had, but she had not spoken with her friend
for a long time though the memories were there just as warm as
the day s they happened. "I-I have not spoken to him in a long
time..." Ione smiled as the memories came back to her. "I met
him when I went to Corsoptium. It was on our way back to Badon
Hill, that I learned that he had been the one to save my
life." She related how a Roman her parents had sold her to had
beaten her and left her for dead in the snow outside of Magnus, and how
Accolon had risked his life to take her to this fort to be
under the protection of Arthur. "I owe him my life, and am
very indebted to him for his kindness. He is a good friend."
Dispite the fact that she had not spoken to him in what seemed
like ages, Ione still thought highly of the knight.

"Do you know where I can find him? We have not talked in a
while, and I thought I'd see how he was..."
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:16 pm
Linnesse


Ione
 
"I- I have not spoken to him in a long time...I met him
when I went to Corstopitum. It was on our way back to
Badon Hill that I learned that he had been the one to
save my life. I owe him my life, and am very indebted to
him for his kindness. He is a good friend. Do you know
where I can find him? We have not talked in a while, and
I thought I'd see how he was..."


"Ione..." Linnesse shook her head helplessly, a lump of
sympathy forming in her throat despite the fact that she had
barely known who Accolan was at all. It was just such a
wretched situation all around, and mirrored Linnette's too
closely for comfort- not to mention Linnesse had never thought
she would have to be the one to bear news of not one but two
deaths to Ione today.

"I do know where to find Accolan...but you won't want to hear
this." She took a deep, shaky breath, readying herself to
pronounce the words, then reached across the table to brush
her hand against Ione's. She wished Ione would sit down- this
news would no doubt come as a shock- but the other woman
seemed restless, more inclined to stand. Resigning herself,
Linnesse forged ahead as best she could.

"He...he's with God now, Ione." By Mary, that sounded lame,
but how else to put it? "It was before the attacks- he was
found in his bed, and..." Linnesse trailed off with a sad
shrug, while a tear fought its way down her cheek.

"And Linnette's husband, Gedeon...he was lost during the
battle wit the Saxons," she concluded with a melancholy sigh,
leaning her head on her hand again, her eyes flicking over to
the curtain that hid Linnette's bed and other personal things.
Her sister hadn't been able to bear looking inside Gedeon's
bags yet- and they were still sitting there, a stark reminder
of everything. Not so painful in themselves for Linnesse, of
course, but horribly so for Linnette- and Linnesse shared her
sister's pain.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:45 pm
Ione


Linnesse
 
"Ione..." "I do know where to find Accolan...but you
won't want to hear this." "He...he's with God now,
Ione."


Ione looked down at Linnese as somehow the mood became heavier
in the quarters...the shaky intake of breath. The gentle touch
on her hand. The weaver could not believe what Linnesse was
saying, and the words that were said shocked Ione. She looked,
unblinking, at the other woman while her lips moved over the
words she had just heard. Ione sank down into the chair nearby
as though she no longer had the strength to move, and she sat
that way, her brow furrowed in comprehension. 'with...God?
Accolon is....with God?' Ione's voice was barely a whisper as
she began to shake uncontrollably with a sob that wanted to
come and refused....

What else could possibly go wrong? Dark eyes raised to meet
the gentle woman's own eyes as if searching for answers as to
why. Accolon had saved her life, and she his. He was her
friend, and she had always known him to have few enemies at
the fort. Her lips moved to form the words who and why as
Linnesse continued. The weaver saw tears run down the woman's
cheeks just as hers were as well. Ione braced herself for the
rest of the bad news to follow...

Linnesse
 
"It was before the attacks- he was found in his bed,
and..." "And Linnette's husband, Gedeon...he was lost
during the battle wit the Saxons,"


...That was all it took. Ione and Linnesse both shared grief
in that moment : Gedeon as well then, and Accolon. Ione could
bear no more bad news. She watched Linnesse's head rest once
again on her hand. When was it all going to end? Surely, there
had to be some amount of happy news somewhere. But right now,
Ione found none...Still in shock, the weaver raised a gentle
hand and placed it on Linnesse's shoulder to give comfort.
"I-I am sorry for Linnette's loss....and Alina's as well." And
my own loss Ione's mind flashed to the fun times she and
Accolon had spent, the comfort and support each gave to the
other, the feel of his warm body next to hers....

He had risked is life to save her own, and to bring her here
to Badon Hill. Ione murmured softly though a bit shakey,
'oh...Accolon....who would ever think to...to kill such a
caring brave man as yourself....you were my...my friend...and
I will miss you....' a sigh escaped her lips before the soft
sob. "I will miss you so...very much..."

Her hand moved over Linnesse's back comfortingly, then leaned
over nad gave the young woman a hug. All Ione had wanted to do
really was talk and get to know Linnesse, but instead the were
sharing grief. "I-I am so very sorry, Linnesse...."

She broke down and wept bitterly. Whoever had killed Accolon
and Gedeon, Ione hoped that the murderers met a very painful
horrid death.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Starbelle
Date: Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:21 pm
Jols


After caring for Barbattus' and Scipios' mounts, the Squire
gave both horses a cube of sugar and carefully locked the
stalls' half-doors behind him.

With his work with the horses done, he decided to head over to
the tavern and see if there was anything interesting going on
over there and get something to eat and a mug of ale too.

Calling out to Mordred in a conversational tone before leaving
the stables just in case the Knight wanted something taken
care of before he left

"Mordred, is there anything that you need assistance with or
want me to do or take care of before I leave?" Jols queried
the Knight polietly.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: sabor ice
Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:36 am
Milan


Mari
 
"Wh... what? Why would you ... oh. We don't have to...
it doesn't have to be ... we can just stay here, this
moment, no further. Right? We don't have to ..."


Milan saw the dazed apprehension flash across her features. He
bowed his head, nose brushing alongside hers, lips gently
grazing her mouth and jawline. Her skin was soft and inviting,
a pale slice of Heaven he was sure. The chaste motions were
meant to calm and soothe her from her worries, not persuade
her into an act of carnal debauchery. The young man had no
intention of taking advantage of the situation, for sexual
desire was foreign to him and he did not fully understand what
it meant to be sensually cunning. What he did know was that he
wanted to be with her, whatever the form.

He shifted his weight from her, anchoring himself beside her
using an elbow as support. His one leg was bent at the knee
and angled toward her thigh, his opposite foot tucked under
the appendage. Milan raised a hand to her face, thumb idly
caressing her high cheekbone. His blue eyes watched her
carefully as if she were made of porcelain, and his touch was
extraordinarily gentle, as if they slightest of pressure might
cause her to break. Although this idea of such physicality
between them was something he wished to explore, it left a
sickening, anxious pang in the pit of his stomach. He thought
of the dark knight, and how the man had damaged Mari. If Milan
were to be with Mari in such a carnal way, would it leave her
in pain? Would he cause her to reduce to tears? He didn't want
to be that man, a new nightmare to torment Mari's dreams. He
wanted her safe. He wanted her whole. For that to happen, this
had to stop now.

Milan pressed a kiss to her forehead and gave her a crooked
smile. There was no anger there, no accusation, no impatience,
just pure unadulterated devotion. Reaching above her head, he
snagged his dark tunic from the blanket and shrugged it on as
he climbed to his feet. He went to hunker by the hearth,
taking a stick and prodding a bit at the fire to liven the
blaze. Beads of sweat reflected in the firelight against his
smooth chest where his shirt was loosened at the top. The bed
was protected beneath the sunken awning of two beams, but he
thought perhaps just for the night they could drag it to be
closer to the warmth...
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:57 am
Drake


Linnette
 
"Oh...no worse, at least. I've been careful,"


Drake noted the sadness in her tone but he did not seek to
reassure her. The practical side of him knew that this was a
valuable lesson for her to learn. It was insanity to try to
deal with pain and loss physically by lashing out. The emotion
remained the same inside but it would only now be coupled with
physical hurts. And what was the point in that beyond making
yourself more miserable? Whilst he would rather she was not in
any kind of pain, he would not even attempt to lessen the pain
of this lesson because he could not bear to think of her doing
something ilke that again.

There was a click and Drake looked at the door of her new room
with a raised eyebrow. Linnette's reaction was barely worthy
of the description - 'reaction'. She gave a small start and
then tucked teh book under her arm, intending to keep it with
her for the long haul. The Spaniard pursed his lips, dipped
his head and walked after her, unquestionning but stewing on
teh circumstances in his own mind.

Linnesse and Derfel were a happily married, young couple and
both Drake and Linnette knew what that felt like, what that
entailed. What that would entail. Did a closed door signal
something now? Did it mean the other occupant of the room
should knock to their own quarters? Linnette had been put in a
rather awkward position by sharing a room with her older
sister adn her new husband.

Drake was quite used to walking in silence, his brain ticking
over on various things until Linnette spoke.

Linnette
 
"So... Where did you get the books?"


Her sad, sweet face was turned up to his. Drake looked down at
her, surprised, and not for the first time, by just how small
and fragile she looked at times. He stepped forward before
her, pushing his hand against the door and taking the weight
of it from her hand then gestured for her to walk on ahead of
him whilst he held the door. Her question had him thinking,
had him remembering --

"A friend." he answered with habitual circumspect neutrality.
He didn't think about the answer really, just spoke the words
and it was only hearing them spoken that he realised just how
cut off from people he had become... he realised just how
deliberately he had cut himself off from people. Tensing his
jaw and giving Linnette an apologetic smile, Drake stepped in
behind her and thought about the answer, thought about
answering it civilly without giving too much away -

"The bigger one belonged to my employer... my master I
suppose, in Jerusalem. I had free reign of his extensive
library. That book was my favourite and I just happened to
have it in my saddlebags when I left the Holy Land." Drake
gave a wry grin whilst he subtely admitted to stealing the
book. His green eyes were dark but playful and they glanced
towards the book under her arm -- "That one belonged to a
soldier from my homeland. We fought together in Bavaria.
He..." Drake paused and scratched a thick finger against the
furrowed line of his brow whilst looking ahead moodily - "He
didn't make it."
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: sabor ice
Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:15 am
Alina


Kolya
 
"Who knows? Hey Alina! Ever fuck in the rain?"


Alina was determined to make it on her own. She had mustered
up the will to unwrap herself from his strong arms, to take
the first step in leaving him. Asking for his assistance now
would've probably just fed his ego, and he'd go off on some
macho power-trip acting all smug and such. No. She would not
have it. She would not be able to control herself if she had
to watch him gloat like an idiot all night. Besides, the woman
was perfectly capable of walking - or limping - to her room at
least. She had no desire to fuss over such a small ordeal as a
sprained ankle. Tomorrow she would take herself to the
bathhouse and clean up, grab some breakfast, and then she
would visit the infirmary as planned. Even if Galahad didn't
want to see her - which she would've completely understood -
there would still be work to be done. Her duties could be
neglected no longer.

His exclamation - could it have been any louder? - caused her
entire self to wince. Alina whipped around so sharply to
glower at him that her good foot lost its holding and she fell
onto her behind with a loud groan. She immediately planted her
palms on either side of her and struggled into a sitting
position. There was no longer a dry or clean area on her body.
Her clothes were tarnished beyond salvaging most likely, and
her pretty face was absolutely marred and distraught. Her arse
was incredibly sore for how many times she had clumsily
managed to land on it today! Surely she had broken some record
there! The audacity of the former knight never ceased to
astound Alina. He was, by far, the most obnoxious, unlikable,
pig-headed bastard she had ever been acquainted with - and she
was undeniably, irrevocably in love with him, too. Not that
she was inclined to admit it, though - what would it have
accomplished?

The look on her face was near dangerous as fiery brown eyes
burned a hole through Kolya.

"Kolya..." she said after a few moments, raking a hand back
through her muddied dark hair once. Her tone was suddenly
sugar-coated as she waggled her finger toward him. "Come
here."
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:23 am
Catherine


Had Catherine known what was in his mind, known that he wanted
to just talk with her, she would not have turned on the charm
full as she did now. But her perception of Lancelot had always
been that he was a lively creature, that he enjoyed his women
and enjoyed them to the full in a rambunctious, sweaty and
gratifying way. That he might just want to sit and talk did
not occur to the whore - though that was her most favourable
thing to do with a man!

The laughter from his thin lips made Catherine smile. She knew
when she had made an impression and this was the reaction one
usually got. Her eyes sparkled with innocence as if she had
not said anything so brazen at all, and she tilted her head,
watching him curiously as he came to grips with her comment...

Lancelot
 
"You are a brazen one, love. A trait I admire in women.
And no, I've not had a ... taste of you, yet. Do you
have a room here? I'd like to take a few moments to rest
and perhaps eat - and I would find it most pleasing to
have such beautiful company as yours. My barrack
accomodations are no place for a lady. I must report to
the commander, but later. He can wait for me. And
perhaps a wash stand? I still carry the grime of battle,
and would be most...appreciative of the loan of some
water and a cloth."


Catherine was building up a profile for Lancelot. She was
creating a facet of herself that would suit his needs and
wants. He readily declared his enjoyment of her brazen words
and so the blonde intended to play on that particular trait.
She could be anything he wanted her to be - that was the magic
of Catherine. If he had wanted a demure, giggling,
virgin-esque girl she could have been just that. If he had
wanted a woman to be moody and snappish, taking affront at his
calling her brazen, Catherine could have done just that,
perhaps even with a slap across his beautiful cheek... ? But
no -- he wanted her to be brazen. He was aroused by it.

When he mentioned the Commander and then stating that he could
wait, Catherine found a surge of excitement bubble through
her. It was the Brazen Catherine that found such affront to
the Fort commander to be thrilling. Catherine, in reality, had
a great deal of respect for the Commander. But if Lancelot
wished to shun his duties in order to spend some time with her
then.. let him do it. It was his time.

And money.

She was just about to smile and answer his question, her hazy
green eyes playful, when he gripped her arm. For a moment she
thought she had done something wrong and she hitched in a
breath, staggering towards him a step as he smiled down at
her. There was something infinitely dark in this man that she
did not care to dwell upon. And so she smiled, moving one leg
forward to brush her thigh against his as if to steady
herself.

Lancelot
 
"Are you game, my dove?"


"Mmm hmm..." she murmured, placing one hand on his waist and
curling her fingers into the dirty tunic he wore. "I have all
you ask for and more." Catherine told him, tilting her head so
that she could place her face a little closer to his despite
the threatening air that came over him. She did not kiss him -
oh not that!! That was not an action for her to take but their
faces were decidedly close.

The whore gently tried to untangle her arm from his grip,
intending to grip his hand to lead him towards the room,
willing for him to follow her.

The room was not her own, of course not! It belonged to
Arland, her friend who would marry her if she would but agree,
and he never used it favouring to stay with Catherine and her
mother just outside the fortress walls. As Catherine walked
she felt that familiar tension knot up inside of her when she
knew she was going to place herself into the lusts and arms of
an unpredictable man who could easily hurt her. It was all
part of her job though, a hazard that she had to accept early
on.

"It is not my own room, you understand... but it has a
wash-stand and hearth for a fire. And a bed..." she winked
over her shoulder at Lancelot, "Would you tell me of the
battle...? Of the Saxons?" Catherine asked, turning to
Lancelot quite suddenly and pressing her body against his, a
suggestive gyration of her hips punctuating the breathy
request though her tone did not hold much interest in either
topic. She was feigning to pretend an interest in something
that she was truly interested in but she could not be seen to
be that interested. It was unseemly for a woman, even a whore,
to be interested in such things. But it made her appear
whimsical and easy to please, it made her appear shallow
enough to long for nothing more than a hero in her bed.









Galahad

Fiona
 
"Really? What's his name?"


Oh it was the wrong thing to do!! To actually show an interest
in the man. Galahad's eyes cut have set a river on fire as
they flashed at Fiona before he looked away, feeling deceived
by her, feeling betrayed by her. Ok so she had not ever sworn
to be his friend or be on his side ever, ok she had no idea
what it was that this 'other man' had done, and ok he was
being entirely unreasonable about the whole damn situation,
but Galahad couldn't help but feel like she had done that just
to upset him. He clenched his teeth together and looked away
stiffly, the tendons in his pale neck standing out as he
stared to the side at the wall.

Fiona
 
"I ... cleaned it as much as possible,"


Galahad didn't even look to see who was back. Lavinia no
doubt. He pursed his lips and continued glowering at the wall,
his bare chest rising and falling raggedly as he fought with
his emotions inside.

Kolya, Kolya, Kolya.

Since when had he become the focus of everyone's damn lives
anyways?

The surly knight whipped his head around to see who had
arrived and gave a harumph of discontent to see Lavinia back.
His sorrowful but angry blue eyes looked to Gawain and he
looked away, back to glowering miserably at the wall.

"Thought you'd've gone." he murmured.









Mari

It was all so innocent, all so tender and understanding.
Neither of them were a slave to their whims and desires though
neither of them would understand it if they were. Mari just
wanted to touch Milan, to have him close. There was a definite
part of her that wanted to know him inside out, wanted to know
the feel of his hand on any part of her body and wanted to
know the feel of any part of his. But it was not an entirely
sexual need. There was innocent there. She wanted to know
everything about him from the start to this moment right now.

Milan kissed her forehead. Mari gave a small laugh and opened
her brown eyes, dazzled as he smiled at her then rose up to
don his tunic and prod the fire. The young woman remained
there a bit longer, she stared at the ceiling, letting her
heart rate return to normal but all those feelings didn't
disappear. It wasn't simple like that.

Her heart was simple, but her wants were not. Because Mari
wanted the impossible. She wanted to have this experience with
Milan without any memories of Mordred coming from either of
them. But that was not possible at all. She could be with
Milan and not think of Mordred but inevitably when the moment
passed and she lay there with the soft sound of a crackling
fire, her mind made the comparison.

Shaking her head, Mari sat up and looked over at Milan. His
shoulders were straighter than normal, looking broader than
before.

"It's dark." she commented, clambering to her feet and walking
over to stand above Milan. She looked down into the flames and
dangled her hand above his head, fingers touching his dark
hair idly, twirling the longer strands around her pale digit.
Mari looked over her shoulder at the bed then at the fire,
then back to the bed and sighed. Without knowing that that was
what Milan had been thinking she asked-

"Do you think we could move that over here... maybe beside the
fire there where the roof isn't so bad? Unless it rains again
of course." she grinned, looking at the sorry looking roof.
The rest of the little cottage was mostly empty, all the
rubbish was stacked outside, the bits that she intended to
preserve were stashed over near the bed to keep it dry if it
did rain. But the fire was too warm to move away from.

Mari looked down at Milan, her pretty brown eyes inevitably
drawn to the pale chest exposed with the dewy beads of sweat
there from the heat of the fire. Her eyebrows lifted slowly,
making her look as if she were in some sort of pain and she
breathed a laugh.

"I don't know if I want to stop." she admitted sheepishly,
looking away from him in mild embarrassment.









Kolya

Kolya wasn't expecting her to stop or to answer. It wasn't
raining right now which meant his offer was open to when it
was raining. Of course he hadn't made it as an offer, he had
merely asked a question, but Alina would know enough of his
character to realise that it was an offer. She would know
enough of his character now to realise that it was an open
offer for when it was raining or when it was not too.

He pursed his lips and was about to walk off in another
direction however, when Alina turned to deliver a rebuke to
him and she went rather skew-ways, slipping, again, and
landing on her bottom... again. The Sarmatian found it
incredibly hard not to laugh. His face was a picture of
dignified interest when she called him. Innocence oozed from
every pore as he looked at her, his foot hovering over the
last step on his way down, his blue eyes playful and amused.

Alina
 
"Kolya... Come here."


She crooked her finger. Her tone was like shattered glass.

The Sarmatian chuckled a few times and shook his head, coming
to stand on ground level as he peered across at her calling
him towards her. He sucked his upper lip and narrowed his blue
eyes in assessment, their blue depths burning with vitality
and caution as he moved towards her, slowly, and never getting
too close. Circling her...

"Oh no -- no no I don't think so." he laughed, shaking his
head as he looked at her sorry form sitting on the ground. She
was filthy, but still beautiful. Kolya came around to hunker
in front of her, far enough away that she couldn't reach him.
He wasn't that stupid. He flexed his thick fingers against
each other and cocked his head to the side looking at her.
"Not unless you promise not to hurt me, Alina. I know I'm a
big brute of a Sarmatian and all - but I'm not stupid. You're
angry and muddy and I know that you think that it is somehow
my fault..." he continued, shrugging in innocence, grinning
lopsidedly at her.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Eledhwen
Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:38 am
Bors


Bors shrugged his bulk into the last seat at the table, and
nodded a short greeting to Derfel while managing at the same
time to throw a distrustful look towards the Roman. Couldn't
go anywhere in this bloody place these days without one of 'em
trying to slime his way into the good books of the locals...

Then Bors laughed to himself, a deep rumbling in the base of
his throat, at the thought of themselves being local. He'd
been in this Gods-forsaken country for far too long.

Tristan
 
"And some food."


He glanced up at the young serving girl and winked at her, a
twinkle in his eye.

"Yeah, bring us sumfin' good ta get me teef into gel," he
grinned, allowing his eyes, crinkled with mirth at her worried
glance in Tristan's direction, to travel down the back of her
dress to her swaying arse as she hurried away.

Bors might be as good as married, but it didn't stop him
appreciating the fairer sex, even in his present condition.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Darya
Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:37 am
Neeve


Neeve was definitely surprised by the news of Arthur Castus
becoming a father. She had no doubt that he would be good at
being that…but still. However, the healer would stick to her
words and have an eye on the Commander’s woman. Maybe then
she’d learn why neither the Roman nor the Sarmatian seemed to
be the least bit happy about the pregnancy…

With those thoughts in mind, yet hidden well behind a neutral
face expression, the Briton approached the tavern. The woman
briefly wrinkled her nose…at the weather as well as at the
scent of alcohol that already reached her nostrils even though
she had not entered the building yet. Licking her lips, she
then pushed the door open and stepped into the room. Blue eyes
automatically scanned the surrounding and Neeve spotted Bors
and Tristan…as well as Derfel and Lucius. For the blink of an
eye, a faint smile tugged at her lips when her gaze lingered
on the Roman for a moment…but then she focused on the counter
and walked over to it without paying too much attention to
everyone else…yet. The raven-haired woman waved at one of the
barmaids and handed the other woman the empty basket…before
whispering something at her. The barmaid grinned wryly and
briefly disappeared in the kitchen. When she returned, she
handed Neeve something. The healer nodded her thanks and then
turned on her heels…

…slowly approaching the two tables where the four familiar
faces were sitting. The Briton’s blue eyes focused on Tristan.
“Hey, scout…”, she then addressed the knight even though she
wasn’t quite at the table yet, “…lacking something?” And with
that, she threw one of the two apples she had in her hands
into the Sarmatian’s direction, positive that Tristan’s
reflexes were still good enough for him to catch the fruit.
Unless of course, he had had a few ales too much already...
Her gaze then briefly shifted towards Bors and she gave the
burly knight a wry smirk before taking a bite from the other
apple which the barmaid had given her…
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golden_trillium

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Author: golden_trillium
Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:05 pm
Linnesse


Ione
 
"I- I am sorry for Linnette's loss...and Alina's as
well. Oh...Accolon...who would ever think to...to kill
such a caring brave man as yourself....you were my...my
friend...and I will miss you...I will miss you so...very
much...I- I am so very sorry, Linnesse...."


“There, there,” Linnesse murmured, sliding forward to the edge
of her chair to both accept the hug and offer what comfort she
could. She sniffed and blinked back a couple more sympathetic
tears, then sat back a little, keeping her hands on Ione’s
shoulders and looking into her eyes- or trying to. The other
woman was lost in tears.

“Accolon wasn’t killed, though, Ione…no one knows what
happened to him. He was just…found. In his bed.” Linnesse
shrugged helplessly as she tried to explain. Linnette had
seemed to think the whole thing suspicious, and had even had a
go at questioning Kolya, the older Sarmatian man who had found
the body, but she had come away with nothing more than a
troubled face and a few choice words about how rude and crude
Kolya was. If she had learned anything, she had said nothing
to Linnesse about it, and everyone else, as far as Linnesse
could remember, seemed to accept that it had been just bad
luck, or perhaps some hidden illness- though it was a strange
circumstance nonetheless.











Linnette

Drake
 
"A friend."


Linnette was a bit taken aback at the brief, uncommunicative
answer that seemed to spring automatically to Drake’s lips.
Didn’t he want to talk about it? What could be so bad about
the circumstances of acquiring a book, anyway? She frowned and
turned her eyes back to the front, ready to just drop the
issue if he really wanted to that badly, though she was, in
truth, a little miffed. The question hadn’t been unusual or
offensive! However, she didn’t have to stew long- Drake
hesitated a beat, seemed to change his mind about something,
and then she felt a softening of his manner and looked up to
see an apologetic smile on his face.

Drake
 
"The bigger one belonged to my employer...my master, I
suppose, in Jerusalem. I had free reign of his extensive
library. That book was my favourite and I just happened
to have it in my saddlebags when I left the Holy Land."


“You took it?” Linnette squeaked, her eyes widening with shock
as she glanced sharply up at him. There was a playful gleam in
his eyes that made her giggle in response- though she couldn’t
condone theft, that sparkle made it all seem like a lark,
somehow, a game. She sobered, though, as Drake continued,
pointing towards the smaller book which she now held.

Drake
 
"That one belonged to a soldier from my homeland. We
fought together in Bavaria. He...he didn't make it."


“Oh…I’m sorry to hear that,” Linnette answered, her eyes
downcast as his words brought up the image of blood and battle
again…and inevitably, the fall from Segedunum’s wall that had
taken Gedeon from her. She sniffed softly, then consciously
tried to turn her thoughts away from that for now.

“So what’s Jerusalem like?” she asked, her voice a bit
disheartened, but pressing on with a topic that had nothing to
do with loss and sadness- and one that did interest her. She
always liked hearing about far away places- the reason the
book had appealed so much to her in the first place.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:47 pm

Arthur


The two ladies did as Arthur had bid them and quietly exited
the room. And the Commander took the brief moment while Neeve
and Darya crossed to the door to closely regard his Optio’s
body language. It was a wise leader of men who took the time
to both speak and to ‘listen’ to those under his command.
Green eyes studied the Roman before him looking for anything
Arthur might discover before Scipio opened his mouth to
address the Commander. Often times it was more important to
hear another’s unspoken words over their spoken ones. The man
showed every sign of irritation….but admirably seemed to calm
himself before he did actually speak.

Amadeus
 
"It was a disaster."


Arthur frowned; the creases between his brows deepened in
concern. A disaster in what way? How many lives were lost?
Yet, Arthur refrained from interrupting the other man. His one
hand remained protectively over his wound while the other
flexed into a fist behind his back and out of Amadeus’ view.

Amadeus
 
"The woad guide you sent led us on a wild goose chase.
We came upon an abandoned camp and were then ambushed by
Merlin. We were outnumbered.. hugely, though there seems
to be some cracks appearing in their united front."


She broke her vow then, this Woad. May God have mercy on her
soul.

Arthur’s gaze intensified despite Amadeus breaking their eye
contact for a moment. The Commander should have picked up on
the other man’s need for rest as Scipio clearly looked towards
the table and chairs to sit rather than stand to continue….but
Arthur needed to hear the Optio’s full report before he would
consent to any sort of repose….and of course Arthur knew
nothing of Scipio’s old leg injury or he would have already
insisted upon the chair. Visibly, Arthur saw no physical
weaknesses or injuries about this Roman….other than the fact
Amadeus appeared stressed – if not a bit ashamed - about the
failed mission…and so he should be!

Amadeus
 
"Things might have gone smoother had your Captain,
Barbattus, not opened his mouth. His insubordination
made us a laughing stock. Had we been on the field of
battle under the banner of Rome I would have had no
choice but to strike him down, Commander. It was only in
consideration of your status, respect for your authority
and confidence in your fair justice that bid me bring
him back here to face the consequences of his
actions...."


Scipio made no mention of any losses and thus that would be
the first thing Arthur would demand to know. However at
Amadeus’ harsh remarks in regards to Malcus, the thick vein
that ran up Arthur’s throat began to protrude as anger swelled
from within. If Malcus had spoken out…something or someone
would have had to facilitate that anger…something the Captain
would have known was against Arthur’s instruction or a danger
to the mission; or so Arthur could only assume. He would hear
from Malcus before taking Scipio at his word on the
subject….Arthur was nothing if not fair…..Malcus was a
longtime friend and loyal soldier and thus Arthur would find
it difficult to believe the man had acted out of Rome’s best
interest…or Arthur’s. But thus far, Scipio had presented
himself as the perfect Roman officer in every sense of the
word and Arthur had no reason to doubt him.

Yes, Arthur was a fair man……yet, had he not shielded Lancelot
from what should have been clear and just punishment for the
knight’s insubordination only this morning? Lancelot, you
still hold sway over me despite every effort I have made to
break your spell.

The freshly re-stitched wound in his side twinged and drew
Arthur’s thoughts away from Lancelot…fortunately for now. The
Commander needed to focus on Scipio and the details of his
report.

“What losses did you suffer?” Arthur asked first and pointedly
with an arched brow and stony expression despite the internal
anger at the overall failure of the mission. Arthur’s first
priority was to his men. If he had to bury one more loyal
soldier or God forbid a knight…..

….if Merlin had allowed Amadeus and the others to ‘escape’,
there was still hope for reconciliation in Arthur’s eyes. But
any losses suffered on either side would make a new peace
treaty impossible at this point.

“And what – if any – words were spoken between Merlin and
yourself? Hm?” Arthur said sternly; his tone making it
perfectly clear that he wanted to know every detail of
Scipio’s mission to Merlin….a full report before he would make
his judgment on any so-called insubordination. He exhaled
through his nose and slightly lowered his chin while awaiting
Amadeus’ answers. And God help the other man should he
withhold any valuable information. One thing was clear though,
Arthur would ride to Merlin himself as soon as he was
able…tomorrow should be soon enough…if the Woad leader did not
attack sometime during the night. And now I must fear for my
unborn child’s safety as well as the lives of everyone else at
Badon Hill.
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golden_trillium

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Author: golden_trillium
Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:27 pm
Tristan


Bors
 
"Yeah, bring us sumfin' good ta get me teef into, gel."


Bors eyed the serving woman with undisguised appreciation as
she walked away to fetch their requirements, and Tristan,
taking note of that, looked too- though his scrutiny was less
obvious. She was nice-looking enough, though she wouldn't have
been one to really catch Tristan's eye- but then, few enough
really did. The scout continued gazing idly in that direction
as the woman ducked into the kitchen- but when he spotted out
of the corner of his eye a small, reddish object hurtling
through the air towards him, his hand was out to catch in in a
flash, before he had consciously decided to move or even
really decided what it was.

Neeve
 
“Hey, scout…lacking something?”


"Hmmph." Tristan gazed reflectively down at the object in his
hand- an apple, as he now identified it. Regarding it
thoughtfully, he turned it over in his hand a couple of times,
then, almost as an afterthought, looked up to the thrower-
whom he had already identified by her voice.

Neeve was smirking at him and Bors, midway through taking a
bite of a nearly identical apple. Hmm...nice of her to think
of him- it looked delicious, and now that he was in the
presence of eating and food, Tristan was beginning to realize
exactly how hungry he was- he had not eaten since before the
trip to the Woads, before he had been with Catherine.

The scout quirked an eyebrow at Neeve and raised the apple in
a silent toast of thanks for her before taking a bite in his
turn.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Lancelot
Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:20 pm
Lancelot


Catherine
 
"I have all you ask for and more."


Lancelot's dark smile pulled at his lips further, and he
allowed Catherine to work her way out of his grip and take his
fingers in her hand. This one had been a gift of the gods, for
sure. He could get cleaned up, get a bite to eat, and
then...perhaps another bite to eat. Arthur could wait for him.
After all, hadn't the commander told him to rest and wash up
before coming back to report?

Besides, although he was loathe to admit it, Lancelot needed a
bit more time to think of what he was going to say to Arthur
in regards to the fight he'd been in with Galahad, Gawain and
Koyla. Gods. He rubbed at his swollen eye and as he walked
with Catherine, whatever light scent she was wearing wafting
pleasantly back to his nose. He breathed deeply, trying to
relax as thoughts of the Roman commander and what was to come
invaded the Sarmatian's thoughts.

Soon enough they arrived at a non-descript door, but before
they could enter, the young blond turned to him again.

Catherine
 
"It is not my own room, you understand... but it has a
wash-stand and hearth for a fire. And a bed...Would you
tell me of the battle...? Of the Saxons?"


Of course it wasn't her room. Most of these women, if they
were smart, wouldn't mix their business with their home lives.
Lancelot just hoped that this one wasn't quite as loose as
some of the others he'd visited - he'd like to remain
relatively disease free.

A rough laugh echoed out of him at that thought, and he put
his hand over his arrow wound as Catherine spouted something
about the battle. His arm twinged, and Lancelot's expression
grew guarded and thoughtful as she made to open the door. "I
don't care whose room it is, love. As long as just you and I
are the ones occupying it at present." He winked with his good
eye at her, and tried to keep his tone bland and pleasant at
her questions.

"It was messy. Muddy and bloody and fast and dangerous, as
they tend to be. The Saxons are a faithless lot - more violent
than most Woads I've encountered in my day. Big men - big axes
- big tempers. But, why would a pretty thing like you bother
about that? I'd think you would try to avoid dirty situations.
Or does hearing about it make your ... blood hot?" He moved
toward her, and touched her cheek with his grimy hand. His
body was almost pressed against hers, and he sucked in air
again, beginning to obsess with her smell and cleanliness.

He'd been dirty for far too long.

"Can we go in? I am hungry," he purred in a low, throaty tone.
"Besides, as you said, I don't know you at all. For that, I
apologize - and I'd like to remedy it."

He smiled courteously, and controlled the shaking of his tired
hands by putting one on his hip, and the other on her arm.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:57 pm
Ione


Linnesse
 
“There, there,”


Ione accepted the returned hug, and the comfort that had come
with it.

It made her feel a bit better though it did not take away the
pain and sorrow of the two pieces of bad news she had just
heard. As Linnesse leaned back in her chair a tad, Ione tried
to keep her dark tear laden eyes on the other womans, but it
was so hard to do. Ione took notice of the gentle touch of
Linnesse's hand on her shoulder. The young weaver somehow
could never imagine a friend dying as she had naively thought
they'd always be there...that Accolon would always be there
when she needed good counsel. No friend she had in the fort
had been as wise nor as brave as he.

Her stomach lurched and moved, and she placed a hand over it,
rubbing it soothingly. Ione looked down at her other hand as
it rested on the table...the one bearing Javier's promise
ring. The ring that held his promise to return for her. The
news about Accolon and Gedeon had more than upset her: they
both hit very close...one being her friend, and the other
being her friend's husband. She raised her hand from the table
to wipe at the tears in her eyes as Linnesse continued to
speak...

Linnesse
 
“Accolon wasn’t killed, though, Ione…no one knows what
happened to him. He was just…found. In his bed.”


Found in his bed...dead. How very odd... Ione was no healer
and was not familiar with the ailments that plagued the fort
from time to time, but the last she had recalled briefly
seeing him was the day she was rescued from under the rubble.
Though she had been badly hurt, Ione could hear his voice
among the others....or she thought she had. He always seemed
so healthy....so vibrant. Perhaps she had thought he had been
killed as that was the first thing that had come to mind. Ione
raised an eyebrow, "He was not killed..." She left out a sigh.
'I hope he and Gedeon have found peace then...'

Her hand continued to sooth the rolling and moving motion of
her stomach. After a good attempt at controlling her sobs, and
regaining her composure, Ione looked down at the ring on her
finger, and she managed a small smile, "I had actually come to
just give you the dress and to see how you were..." Ione
shivered a bit, and pulled her cloak about her a bit more to
ward off the chill.









Adian

He had pretty much checked out some of the buildings in the
area, and sat down, finally, on a barrel, his cloak folded in
front of himself to keep warm, and almost cloaking him in the
shadows. Knowing his luck, it'd rain on him. First he looked
toward the freshly mended exit that he had used to go hunting
for meat for the tavern. Adian then left his eyes scan over
the courtyard trying to imagine what the child would have
looked like....how far was he from where Thorn, her child and
the child she had tried to rescue...how far was he from them?
His imprisonment by the woads for a short time...had that all
been like a bad nightmare? And the fever...the battle...the
spear wound? Well at least he knew for sure that that was not
a dream as the cold made it ache like hell....

Come on Adian...pull yourself together...you have a fine young
woman waiting for you...but you need to grieve... "SHIT!"
Adian angrily stomped the ground with his boots, and made his
way over to another slightly damaged shop...

With all of the repair work to be done, Adian almost figured
on beginning work now, but that it was night time and that
meant quiet. With all of his surveying done, Adian just
decided to continue to walk and think.
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