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| August 2008 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 12 2010, 09:09 PM (2,834 Views) | |
| golden_trillium | Apr 18 2010, 05:45 PM Post #136 |
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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....
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...
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 | Apr 20 2010, 12:56 AM Post #137 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:16 pm Linnesse
"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 | Apr 20 2010, 12:57 AM Post #138 |
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Author: lady ione Date: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:45 pm 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...
...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 | Apr 20 2010, 12:58 AM Post #139 |
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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 | Apr 20 2010, 12:59 AM Post #140 |
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Author: sabor ice Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:36 am Milan
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 | Apr 20 2010, 01:00 AM Post #141 |
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Author: Pinkie Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:57 am Drake
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.
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 | Apr 20 2010, 01:01 AM Post #142 |
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Author: sabor ice Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:15 am Alina
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 | Apr 20 2010, 01:05 AM Post #143 |
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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...
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.
"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
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.
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.
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 | Apr 20 2010, 01:07 AM Post #144 |
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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.
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 | Apr 20 2010, 01:07 AM Post #145 |
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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 | Apr 20 2010, 01:11 AM Post #146 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:05 pm 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
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.
“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.
“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 | Apr 20 2010, 01:13 AM Post #147 |
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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.
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.
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!
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 | Apr 20 2010, 01:14 AM Post #148 |
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Author: golden_trillium Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:27 pm Tristan
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.
"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 | Apr 20 2010, 01:15 AM Post #149 |
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Author: Lancelot Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:20 pm Lancelot
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.
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 | Apr 20 2010, 01:17 AM Post #150 |
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Author: lady ione Date: Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:57 pm Ione
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...
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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