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August 2008
Topic Started: Apr 12 2010, 09:09 PM (2,840 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Kayla
Date: Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:46 pm

Fiona


Fiona wasn't like her fellow woads or even like most people in
general. She'd been born with a good heart, a heart that only
wanted to help people instead of killing them like she had
been trained to do. She had been born soft, not a fighter like
her people and not someone that liked war and the things it
brought with it. She didn't like that this world already
seemed so horrible and she was barely old enough to understand
any part of the world that wasn't right in front of her. The
woad was already capable of making her own decisions, though,
the proof being that she was living in the fort now instead of
with the woads still. Maybe it wouldn't have gone through
without help from her father and him realizing that she had
wanted a different kind of life but she had strived and
acheived, right? Wasn't that at least something?

As soft as the woad really was, it was easy to let people say
things that she didn't like and let them get away with it. She
still didn't understand why Galahad didn't know that she was
simply here to help and if he did realize that but still
didn't understand it, then she didn't know how to make it
clear but really, she didn't even know why she was here. Maybe
it was wanting to do something for someone, or maybe because
it was Galahad that had been hurt and that had caught her eye
outside and she had just wanted to make sure he was okay,
despite the fact that he seemed to dislike her for some
reason.

Galahad
 
"You don't have to believe me."


Fiona frowned at his tone and the tension she saw in his jaw,
feeling him release her hand and pull his palm away from it.
"I know that. I'm just letting you know that I don't, even
though you probably want me to believe that it was nothing."
She shrugged; it was obvious that there was something going on
and while she wasn't going to push about it, she wasn't going
to back down either and admit that she didn't think something
had happened.

Thinking of this made her lose focus for a moment and she
realized that she had gotten too close with the cloth to his
wound only after she heard his breath hitch and his voice
raised as he spoke -

Galahad
 
"Ah! Gods - what the hell are you trying to do to me?"


Resisting the urge to step back at his tone, Fiona glanced up
quickly, her eyes locking in on his expression and her
forehead marred with a sympathetic and apologetic frown.
"Sorry, sorry!" She bit her lip, loosening the cloth from her
fingers and moving it away from his wound, only to have it
pulled out of her hand by the knight. She released a ragged
breath, looking childish as she moved her wet hand to push
away the hairs on her forehead, leaving traces of water from
her hand on the skin of her face. A slight flush tinted her
cheeks at the muttered words underneath his breath, her ears
only catching a few of the words but it was enough to make her
embarrassed.

She would have taken the cloth away from him when he started
dabbing at it himself, but Fiona really didn't know what would
happen if she managed to hurt him again so she just stood
there, feeling almost worthless for not being able to complete
a simple task. It was like the times she had felt whenever she
disappointed Merlin for one reason or another, whether it was
because of her lack of enthusiasm about the wars and the
fighting she would be doing or like the time she had snuck
into a hut to see two of the prisoners that they had brought
into the woad camp. She always managed to find herself in
trouble or messing things up and apparently, this moment was
no different.

Galahad
 
"Where's that miserable old ... "


Fiona followed his gaze to Lavinia, speaking with Gawain,
Lancelot and the woman that the woad had noticed earlier. Her
shoulders drooped slightly, the only sign now that she was
almost feeling sorry for herself about hurting the knight in
front of her, all the other physical signs now gone from her
face, only residing in her posture. She didn't know what to do
to help, especially when he leaned back with a groan, covering
his eyes with his hands. "Has she always been grouchy?" The
woad tilted her head to the side towards Lavinia, wanting to
do anything but stand here in silence.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Starbelle
Date: Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:58 pm
Jols


Walking over to the riderless mounts belonging both to Scipio
and Barbattus, Jols took the reins and followed leading the
mounts into the stables behind him when Tristan, the quietest
one of all of the Sarmatians, leading Tirgatao into the
stables, past the Squire let a small phrase escape his usual
quietness.

Tristan
 
“They fucked it up”


If Jols was surprised at hearing the Scout speak, he didn't
let on, just acted as if he hadn't heard anything out of the
ordinary.

"Figures that would happen, these people, they don't know how
to do it right, if at all. We wouldn't do it in that way." The
Squire replied to him in the same low tone once he was within
Tristan's earshot, the other two mounts following in a relaxed
gait behind him.

Looking over his shoulder at the remaining knight, Jols called
out to him in a normal tone of voice. "I'll be back for your
horse, Mordred, once I get these mounts seen to." He said
indicating both Scipio and Barbattus' mounts to let him know
that his horse wouldn't be left out in the courtyard for too
long on its own.
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golden_trillium

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Author: golden_trillium
Date: Thu Aug 07, 2008 7:50 pm
Merlin


Guinevere
 
"Father, after you left to return to camp, I came back
to fetch two or three of the warriors you had left
behind, to accompany us on our mission. They were drunk!
And one of them tried to molest me, so I took off his
head, and bound the others to await your judgment. I did
not believe for one second that Neeria would lead the
Romans here. Has she turned traitor? And as for Mona, we
saw the Sarmatian take Neeria on his horse, and we
followed the group out of the fortress. When we reached
the forest, she turned on me; she was like a crazed dog.
I had to defend myself. I believe she has lost her
reason. What is happening to us all, Father? Two of my
best fighters are lost to our cause. I can scarcely
believe it. Even Connell has abandoned us. He wandered
away in the fortress."


So now Connell was missing, too? The news, a mix between
disappointing and difficult to understand, flew at Merlin
thick and fast as his daughter spoke, pressing down his
spirit, making it difficult to think. His shoulders sagged,
and he let out a breath and shook his head as he abruptly
dropped to one knee. Before him, the injured Mona rolled over
painfully and reached out for him, her smile on seeing him not
quite real, slightly unhinged-looking even in the dim light.

Mona
 
”Merlin, you waited for me.”


“Yes.” Merlin answered reassuringly, reaching out to clasp her
hand in return, giving it a firm squeeze. His natural instinct
to reassure and be a source of strength to his people had
taken over, but he did not truly feel it in his heart at all.
Wait for her? That made very little sense, and as Guinevere
had said, Mona did not look in her right mind at all. What had
happened to her? First Neeria, now Mona…were all of his
warriors losing their minds? Had they angered the Gods as much
as this?

“Mona…who were you sent into the fort to rescue?” he asked
experimentally, tipping his head slightly to one side as he
regarded the wounded woman and waited for her to answer. Would
she remember that? Exactly how far out of her mind was she,
really? Or was this all a result of her physical wounds?
Merlin cast a quick glance back at Guinevere.

“How was she injured? Is this all from when she attacked you?”
Or had there been something else? And why did Guinevere seem
to be at the center of all this? Was there, Gods forbid,
something wrong with his daughter, too? Merlin had the feeling
he would be asking a lot of questions before he truly
understood all this.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:05 pm
Brendyn


Nodding to the wench once again, Brendyn grabbed his helmet
and spear, and left the tavern after leaving three coins on
the table to pay for the food. The night air was cold and damp
as he walked out of the establishment, and he pulled his cape
closer around his lean athletic form. The still bandaged wound
under his arm ached a bit from the cold, but he figured it'd
keep him awake. Twilight was his favorite part of the day no
matter what the weather. As a boy, he loved to sit on a small
hill and watch the deep purples and reds mingle with the golds
and whites and grays. It always left him filled with awe that
such beauty could exist in a war torn world.

Up ahead, he found the officer in charge surrounded by the
relief soldiers who were to guard the wall as well, and
saluted. The officer saluted back, then told Brendyn and the
relief soldiers where on the wall they'd be positioned:
Brendyn was to be over one of the gates. As the officer
dismissed the men, Brendyn followed them up to the top of the
wall, and he took his position. He nodded to the man on either
side of him, and then turned his alert gaze out toward the
distant hills and forests.

Brendyn muttered a prayer of safety for the night watch.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:00 am
Mona


Mona's smile broadened as Merlin came closer to her. Her skin
became electrified as the leader knelt down and grasped her
hand. Her eyes rolled to the top of her head in ecstasy. His
soothing voice calmed her raging spirit as he spoke to her
directly. She opened her eyes again as Merlin said her name.

Merlin
 
“Yes. Mona…who were you sent into the fort to rescue?”


The smile faded.

Neeria.

Is that all he wanted to know? Fucking Neeria? That bitch!
After all Mona had done, after she lay here DYING, the first
thing he thinks about is NEERIA????

The anger flashed in Mona's eyes again. After all of her
careful planning, her plotting to get rid of those two - and
all for Merlin - he still failed to notice her. The crazed
woman bit her bottom lip before she spoke, her voice cracking.

"We went to rescue Neeria! Your favorite!" she spat viciously.

"Why?" she screamed.

"Why have I never been good enough for you? I am better than
she yet you still favor her! Even after she failed to kill
Arthur...she failed! I told you she offered you to Castus but
she only did so that we could retreat! It was finally my turn
to be your favorite and yet you still ignore me!"

The woman burst into a coughing fit. In her insane ranting,
Mona didn't realize her confession.
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golden_trillium

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Author: golden_trillium
Date: Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:54 am
Tristan


Jols
 
"Figures that would happen; these people, they don't
know how to do it right, if at all. We wouldn't do it in
that way.


“We? Sarmatians? We’d kill em and be done with it,” Tristan
replied sourly as he continued down the stable aisle with
Tirgatao beside him. They were brave words, but inwardly,
Tristan wasn’t so sure of them as he sounded. He hated the
spidery devils as much as anybody, maybe more- considering
Percival’s fate- but Tristan wasn’t so blind that he didn’t
realize that the Woads were a people fighting for their
freedom. Sarmatians had fought that same fight, generations
ago, and lost it to the invincible Roman legions, just as the
Woads were now doing. In a way, it was like watching a replay
of the death of his own people, and participating in it with a
blind hatred that he could not deny. It was a bitter thing.
Servitude was a bitter thing.

But brave words- that was the only kind Tristan would utter.
Ducking his head a bit, he continued along the stable aisle
until he reached Tirgatao’s stall, as Jols called back behind
them to Mordred.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:57 am
Titrus


Arthur
 
“I will trust you, Titrus, to be sure that none of our
gates are penetrable,”


Titrus sharply nodded his head at Arthur. The sting in
Arthur’s voice didn’t get past the lieutenant either. Arthur,
in so many words, was saying “don’t fuck up again.” Titrus and
Quintus had had men check and double check all of the gates
and the lieutenant felt confident that there was no longer a
weak spot or threat at either gate. Titrus would adhere to
Arthur’s orders of doubling patrols along the wall and adding
more men on the ramparts.

When Titrus mentioned the women’s clothes, the commander
responded without reaction.

Arthur
 
“Thank you, Titrus. However, that is not a surprise.
Come to me immediately if you learn of anything
further.”


Titrus uprighted himself and struck his breastplate again and
took a step back from Arthur.

“Oy, commander. I will, sir…and thank you,”

With a curt nod of his head, Titrus spun on his heel and
headed toward the door, nodding at the healer as he passed
her. Titrus pulled the massive door closed behind him. The
meeting with Commander Castus had gone well.

Once outside, Titrus decided to find Quintus and let the
centurion know that Arthur had been informed of the escape. As
he passed the barracks guards, one of them stopped the
lieutenant.

“Titrus! C'mere,” the guard said. Titrus stopped and walked
over to the man.

“Captain Barbattus is back from the mission and he’s madder
than a demon!” the man said, wide-eyed and animated, “he’s in
his quarters and says he doesn’t want to be disturbed...not
even by you!”

Titrus raised his eyebrows. What the heck was going on? Was
Malcus okay? Had the meeting with Merlin not gone well? The
lieutenant turned and looked back at the barracks entrance. He
wanted to go see Malcus but he also knew the captain’s fury.
Better to leave him be for the time being.

“Thanks for the warning,” he said to the guard, pulling his
cloak around him tighter and setting out to find Quintus.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:55 am
Quintus


The Centurion stood with his arms crossed to one side of the
little side gate- which, thank God, was hardly recognizable as
a gate any more. The soldiers, working under his supervision,
had barred across the broken gap with numerous pieces of wood,
head-high to a tall man, and were now working by torchlight on
mortaring a wall of stones across it, too. It was a bit
slapped together, not quite as neat as the rest of the wall,
and the cement wouldn't be completely dry for a couple of
days, but if the Woads managed to break down the sad wooden
gate again, they would find themselves facing a blank stone
wall. And he'd like to see them try to get through that!

The guard on the wall had been increased, too- especially
above the area of the little formerly-gate. They had been
fooled not once but twice by the forest demons, but there
would not be a third time. This was it- the attacks stopped here, no matter what the result of the negotiations turned out to be. This shamefully vulnerable gate was no more.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Darya
Date: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:45 pm
Neeve and Darya


Titrus
 
”Erm, yes ma'am… Like I told the commander, we can tell
they penetrated the fortress at the side gate. It was
damaged pretty badly during the last attack and we're
pretty sure that's how they got in...."


Arthur
 
“I will trust you, Titrus, to be sure that none of our
gates are penetrable,”


Darya tilted her head a little when Titrus addressed her and
she gave the soldier a small smile once he had replied to her
question. A silent nod expressed her gratitude for having
received an answer. Then she put her now empty mug back onto
the table while waiting for the men to finish their
conversation…also watching Neeve from the corner of her eyes
as she did so…

Arthur
 
“Neeve…what has kept you, hm?”


A corner of the healer’s mouth twitched slightly but she did
not answer the Commander’s question as he and the other Roman
had yet to finish their conversation. She could of course tell
Arthur that a bunch of Sarmatians acting like little boys had
kept her…but it was not her task to do so. If anyone should
tell Arthur than it was Lancelot. He was the non-Roman leader
of the knights…in a certain way, they were his responsibility.
Thus Neeve just pursed her lips slightly and waited for Arthur
to dismiss the other soldier…

Once they were alone and Arthur moved over to the table, Neeve
could not help but finally meet the dark gaze of the
Commander’s woman…and she gave the other woman a look that
asked why on earth she had not made sure that her lover would
stay in bed, where he belonged with that injury of his. Darya,
however, frowned at the healer’s icy stare…even though she
understood what the other woman was telling her without words.
But what could she have possibly done? She could not order
Arthur to rest. And she could hardly tell his officers to stay
away either, could she? Lifting her chin almost defiantly, the
Sarmatian moved to join Arthur at the bigger table which he
was approaching…

Arthur
 
“And what have you brought me, hm? And before you begin
lecturing me, I have rested quite enough today,”


Neeve knew that the other woman had understood…but before she
could actually say something, the Commander spoke and the
healers blue eyes shifted to the Roman. She joined him by the
table and began to unpack the basket… The Briton placed the
thankfully still warm stew, the bread and the cheese as well
as a new pitcher with water onto the table but was mainly
focused on Arthur.

“Really now?”, she replied in a rather sarcastic tone, not at
all falling for Arthur's poor attempt to give her a somewhat
convincing smile, and once more met the man’s gaze, “…then I
am afraid you and I have very different definitions of
'enough'…” With that, the raven-haired woman took the spare
bandages out of the basket as well. “Eat, Commander…and then
let me see how badly you have ruined my work already…”, Neeve
added and gave the Roman an almost challenging look…a look
that told him that she just knew the injury was certainly not
in the condition she would like to see it. When it came to
injuries and getting proper rest, Arthur was just as bad as
most of his knights. With the exception of Dagonet – and
Percival…way back then – they all were such bad patients when
it came to obey a healer’s orders.

Then Neeve’s attention was on Darya once more. “Would you mind
brewing a tea out of these herbs?”, she asked the Sarmatian
and handed her a small bowl with a few dried leaves, “…make
enough for two. You look as if you could need some as well…”
The healer then gave the other woman a half-smile even though
she still sort of blamed her for the Commander not having
rested properly. However, it was only her eyes that gave this
away. “Sure…”, Darya said and took the bowl as well as the
pitcher with water and gave Arthur a worried look before she
walked over to the hearth to prepare the tea. She had no doubt
that the healer was right with her words about the injury
probably being not any better at all…and she knew her lover
well enough to know that he would never admit that so easily.
But even he could not hide and ignore the pain forever. The
dark Sarmatian silently prayed that Neeve would be able to
help again…and to make sure that Arthur would be alright again
soon…
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Starbelle
Date: Fri Aug 08, 2008 2:09 pm
Tatiana


Watching as Adian stared out the window, she felt like he was
a millon miles away from her at that moment. Not wanting to
either disturb or interrupt him, Tatiana stood quietly until
he came back to himself on his own.

After telling him that it was ok for him to what he needed to,
Adian turned around and met her eyes with his own, the heather
gray speaking for him. Walking over to her, he kissed her
passionatly which she returned with the same amount of
passion.

Adian
 
"No...there is nothing wrong in seeking comfort in
someone else, Tatiana. Thank you for being here for me."


"You're very welcome, Adian. Are you cold?" She asked
solicitously as she'd seen him rub his arms and wondered if he
was ok.

Feeling him position her for a slow dance and hearing him
softly sing a ballad for the music, Tatiana listened to his
beautiful voice and let their dance unfold on its own.

Adian
 
"You know, sweet memories are best, I think. Monuments
and grave sites can't compare with golden memories and
thoughts...times shared." "I think I will make a
decorative wooden display for her sword and hang it
above the fire place. Thorn would have liked that....
"You can move in anytime you wish to. You are right, it
will help us to get to know each other better...."


"Yes. That they are, indeed. You'll always have those as noone
can take them away from you." Tatiana agreed with him. "That
sounds like a lovely idea, Adian. Either oak or cherry would
be a good type of wood to use as it lasts quite a long time,
longer if a varnish or shellac type of sealant is used on it."
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: SarmatianKnight
Date: Fri Aug 08, 2008 2:34 pm
Lucius


Derfel
 
“Aye,”


Lucius took the answer for what it was: a confirmation to his
statement but he knew that the legends did not always reflect
the truth. He had met women who had been able to drink a
full-grown man beneath the table. Something he would never
ever understand. He never made the mistake to underestimante
people and no doubt Lucius had his own moments of drinking
adventures but still, how could anyone find it fun to drink
someone else under the table? But then he saw the brief shadow
of darkness on Derfel's expression again which was replaced by
curiosity. Lucius raised an eyebrow. What?

Derfel
 
“No, they are no fools…their leader wouldn’t attack
without a good reason,”


The Roman knew that Derfel had been out there with Arthur and
the knights. Maybe he knew even more than Lucius could put
together piece by piece because he just able to use his brain
and think properly. He looked at the other men in the tavern
again before he rested his chin in the palm of his hand,
looking back at Derfel. "Maybe they have a good reason we do
not know." It was just a thought, a suggestion, but he
wondered if anyone of the superior officers at the fort had
pondered that idea. A smile and a shrug acompanied his words.

When Derfel allowed him to ask a question Lucius opened his
mouth already to ask him straight forward -

"I wonder..."

- but then he watched the other man filling his mug again and
he remembered the darkness he had seen before. At least the
Roman knew what he wanted others to do when he felt exactly
the same darkness in his own expression. He wanted to be left
alone. The last thing he needed were curious questions and
endless talks about families and llife. So he decided to go
into a completely other direction with his question than he
had planned to or wanted to go. Chicken, a nasty voice in his
head told him.

"... why you do not just sit into that barrell. Would be much
easier than filling that mug again and again." Avoidance - and
even in Lucius' ears it sounded like a lame excuse. How
pathetic. Surely Derfel would recognise it because the Saxon
was no fool and it was obvious that the Roman was a bad liar.
Truth stuck to him. Literally. Lucius grimaced and offered
Derfel an apologising look before he decided that it was
better to ask the real question with a sigh. He liked the man
and thought that he did not deserve any lie at all. "Why does
a Saxon fight for a Roman Commander?" He was convinced that a
man could (should) fight for the things which were important
for him, not for the country, the language he was speaking,
the expectations he had to fulfill. But it was a rare thing
that others saw it the same way so he wondered what Derfel's
reason were to be here at a Roman fort.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:32 am

Arthur


Titrus had wisely followed orders and excused himself from
Arthur’s quarters without further hesitation, not that the
Commander would have refused to listen to anything else the
soldier might have had to report. But Arthur was not recovered
from his injury and did require further rest…and he had no
doubt that Neeve was about to make sure of it. Not something
the Commander wished one of his subordinates to witness.
Although, the report of a breach had troubled Arthur the
soldier seemed confident that everything was now back under
control. And the Commander had no choice but to trust in his
men right now.

And thus the Commander’s focus shifted back to the two women
in his quarters; his pregnant lover and a longtime friend. A
small wry grin threatened at Arthur’s lips as Neeve began her
predictable ‘assault’ while unpacking her basket. She knew the
Commander well….still.

Neeve
 
“Really now? …then I am afraid you and I have very
different definitions of 'enough'…Eat, Commander…and
then let me see how badly you have ruined my work
already…”


“Your fine stitchery has held up to the days’ activities,”
Arthur answered with a hint of mirth in his voice and added a
wink at the Briton while taking his seat at the table. He
accepted the warm bowl of stew and immediately took a bite of
cheese. Of course he only attempted humor with Neeve to mask
his discomfort…for as long as he thought he could hide it from
both women in the room. But the recollection of how Arthur had
been forced to practically manhandle Lancelot to stop the
knight from attacking Scipio this morning…most likely a stitch
or two had been broken in the shuffle….he knew Neeve would
indeed have a little repair work to do. As Arthur remembered
how he’d felt some residual dampness on his bandages later
when he was alone enough to check his dressings. What shall I
do about him? What punishment shall fit the crime? Arthur
inwardly groaned while beginning to eat the stew Neeve had
brought.

Neeve
 
“Would you mind brewing a tea out of these herbs? Make
enough for two. You look as if you could need some as
well…”


Darya
 
“Sure…”


….for two. Was it that obvious already to Neeve? No, wait…the
healer meant ‘Arthur and Darya’, not Darya and the child she
now carried in her womb. God help me. Arthur still did not
know how to process it nor what to say. He should be overjoyed
at becoming a father…but something kept the Roman from feeling
the way he should. Perhaps it was his own fate, his own
destiny weighing heavy on his conscience. Arthur did not know
the events that would forever seal his place in the history of
Britain, he did not know when or exactly how he would die…but
Arthur was certain that he would give his life in the name of
God and in a valiant act to protect those that needed his
strength. Simple enough….until Darya’s news had tilted
Arthur’s world on its side tonight. He instinctively looked up
to Darya as she accepted the bowl and pitcher from Neeve….and
offered a small smile of encouragement. He had every intention
of having Darya share this meal and the Sarmatian could
certainly benefit from Neeve’s tea.

“Dagonet was severely wounded….and should still be in the
infirmary…have you seen him, Neeve?” Arthur inquired about his
knight in between spoonfuls of stew. Lancelot was to report on
the condition of all the men sometime this evening, but surely
Neeve had news.

Lancelot. The First Knight had given his word to Arthur that
he would rest as well. But the Roman knew better….and prayed
that his lieutenant had at least found the time to wash up and
eat a good meal himself. And then Arthur’s thoughts returned
to Darya and their ‘child’. She would need to be carefully
looked after and certainly Arthur would no longer allow his
lover to go on living in a room by herself in the knight’s
quarters.

And what in God’s name was keeping Scipio? Merlin was a man of
few words…the peace negotiations should have been completed by
now.









Derfel

Derfel had only nodded in agreement at Lucius’ further comment
on the Woads. Perhaps the Roman had had some dealings with the
native Britons himself. After all, Derfel truly knew almost
nothing about the soldier sitting across from him now. No
matter…the ale tasted wonderful and the other man’s company
was quite pleasant.

Lucius
 
"I wonder..."


Derfel had just downed another full mug of ale when Lucius
spoke again…albeit hesitantly. Curious blue eyes met brown and
in the brief silence before Lucius continued, Derfel released
a good burp and rubbed a hand over his chest and belly in
contentment. His head was beginning to buzz from the ale he’d
consumed on an empty stomach…perhaps he should order something
to eat and certainly the meal he’d promised Linnesse and
Linnette. With luck, both women were comfortably sleeping and
not aware of the time he was taking to return with said
promised meal.

Lucius
 
"... why you do not just sit into that barrell. Would be
much easier than filling that mug again and again."


“Good suggestion,” Derfel snorted a laugh and gave the barrel
a friendly pat on its top in appreciation of its contents. But
something seemed a bit off in Lucius’ expression, as if the
Roman had wanted to say something completely different – more
serious perhaps - than the joke about the barrel of ale.
Derfel’s instincts seemed to be confirmed as he noted Lucius’
rather repentant grin.

Lucius
 
"Why does a Saxon fight for a Roman Commander?"


So Lucius was curious, as nearly everyone else that Derfel
met, about his allegiance to Rome. Derfel blew out a breath as
his eyebrows rose up a bit and he attempted a reassuring smile
before actually answering the question. He leaned back a bit
and wrapped both hands around the mug he’d been draining
rather quickly.

“Well, I reckon the short answer is that I was raised here and
well…Arthur being ‘Arthur’…I’m proud to serve under such a
noble and honorable man, Roman or not,” Derfel stated plainly
and with a nod to Lucius. He then took another good drink of
ale and licked at his lips before saying anything further. The
knight could see what he thought was curiosity in Lucius’ dark
eyes…and perhaps a bit of surprise that yes indeed a ‘Saxon’
could and did swear his loyalties to a Roman. But that Roman
Commander was Artorius Castus…surely Lucius was aware of whom
he now served as well here at Badon Hill. But the question
Lucius had asked also brought back all of the turmoil within
Derfel….that moment on the battlefield when father had
recognized son and the son was on the side of the enemy and
not able to save his father….Derfel had saved Arthur instead
and would forever carry that particular guilty burden deep
within his soul. And so once again darkness began to fill in
the lines of Derfel’s gentle expression as he looked over at
his new friend. He breathed out through his nose and briefly
glanced down at his hands….the ring on his left hand was
Saxon….and suddenly seemed to burn into his flesh.

“There’s none better than Arthur….the gods truly bless the man
on a battlefield,” Derfel added with a hint of remorse in his
voice. And once again his thoughts travelled back to that
night.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Darya
Date: Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:42 pm
Neeve and Darya


Arthur
 
“Your fine stitchery has held up to the days’
activities.”


Neeve watched with a certain satisfaction that Arthur
immediately started to eat some of the cheese and the stew.
Good. Very good actually. The Roman needed the food to regain
his strength. However, when the Commander spoke, the healer
furrowed her brow in doubt. “Let me be the judge of that,
Arthur…”, the healer said and smirked slightly, “…I probably
don’t even want to know what you have done to my work in the
last hours… As different as you soldiers and knights of Badon
Hill are from one another…you all have one thing in common:
you never listen. Especially not when it comes to health
issues…” With that, the raven-haired woman pursed her lips
slightly for experience had taught her that she was right…no
matter whether or not the Commander would argue about the
topic now… Then her crystal-blue eyes shifted towards the
hearth where the man’s lover was preparing the tea…

Darya heard Arthur and the healer talk, but she focused on her
task at hand and therewith didn’t really listen to their
exchange. When the scent of the herbs in the hot water hit her
nostrils for the first time, the Sarmatian closed her eyes and
took a deep breath. The herbal aroma had a soothing effect on
her and she allowed herself to savour the moment. She should
probably get used to herbal stuff…for she assumed that teas,
salves and oils might become regular companions for her in the
near future…considering the changes ahead…physical changes
mainly. Re-opening her dark eyes, the Sarmatian then briefly
glanced over her shoulder to look at Arthur. To see him eat
made her smile faintly…yet Darya still secretly wondered if it
had been the right decision to tell the Roman about the child.
To tell him now. He looked more troubled than before…and that
was certainly not only because of Titrus' report about the
security breach. The dark-haired sighed quietly and looked at
the small pot over the flames…stirring the fluid it in it to
see if the tea was ready…

Arthur
 
“Dagonet was severely wounded…and should still be in the
infirmary…have you seen him, Neeve?”


With that, the Briton met Arthur’s gaze again and nodded
slightly. “Yes, I have seen him. I tended to him before the
messenger boy that you had sent arrived…”, Neeve explained and
absentmindedly granted herself a small piece of cheese, too,
“…he is in good hands…and will be alright again…physically.
For all else, he will need his moody red-haired woman and his
friends more than ever…” The healer deliberately avoided
mentioning Gedeon’s death. She hated talking about fallen
knights… It would only remind her of Percival…and Markaad and
she had no time for sentimentalities right now.

Then Darya returned to the table with a pot of fresh hot tea.
She carefully poured the hot liquid into two mugs before
putting the pot aside and then handed one mug to Arthur. “Here
you go…”, the dark-haired said and met her lover’s gaze,
trying to find the answer to her sorrows in his green eyes…
“So do you…”, Neeve then stated as she placed the other mug in
front of the Sarmatian and therewith brought the other woman
back to the here and now, “…drink. You look as though you need
it just as much as he does. Has either of you really rested
properly in the last hours?” Blue eyes shifted from the
Sarmatian to the Roman and back…yet Neeve did not really
expect an answer. Well, and she actually had an idea of what
that answer might be already anyway.

“Well then, Commander…let’s have a look at your injury…”, the
healer continued and already prepared the spare bandages. She
had forehandedly brought needle and thread as well as the very
last bit of the salve against infections, too…and something
told her that she would need it…
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:27 pm

Ione


She began to walk leaving Mirtha to stand in the doorway.

She just needed to think things out clearly, and to be alone
for a bit. Not that company would not be so bad, but this
matter was one that she needed to find good advice in. Ione's
mother and father were no longer around, and she had always
relied on her father to give her wise counsel. Absently, she
walked past a gate the men were working on. Dark eyes looked down at the ground as she walked, and thought. Ione's stomach churned and moved in an odd way, and she placed her hand there. She had to think of the child now, and how to care for it, though she did make enough to live comfortably on from her shop. How was Javier? Where was he? Ione found herself worrying about him quite a lot. The weaver had not eaten much since her return to the fort and now she was just down right hungry for something, though she wondered what sounded good...

Damn it all! Things had just not gone right since Javier had
left, and to top it off, she stupidly gave in to another man's
lust...a lust she gave in to. Why could she not use her stupid
head once in a while! Ione had wished that she had gone to
Spain with her beloved, but that she had only wanted to say
good bye to her friends.

She found she could not say good bye to them. To Arthur, her
protector, to Darya, Linnette, The knights.....everyone. Ione
had only wanted to be Mirtha's friend....

The young woman entered the tavern, and found a dark corner of
the room. She saw the handsome knight, Derfel, and another
handsome young man (Lucius). Ione had always wanted to marry a
knight, or at least a man who loved her for who she was, and
then she had found Javier and she almost smiled at the day
they had first met. Here in the tavern. Ione sat down in a
dark corner, and lay her head on the table feeling miserable.
It was at this point when all of her thoughts seemed to gang
up on her, that she could no longer give her heart away. That
would be reserved only for her child. Javier's child. Looking
up, Ione's eyes looked out the window at the darkened sky...

....Ione would no longer give her heart out so readily. Oh,
there were a lot of handsome men at the fort, and she had even
considered marrying a Roman once. Surely, there was one out
there for her. A wench came over with a bowl of soup and some
tea...

''Thank you, " Ione whispered.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:40 am

Arthur


Arthur wasted no time in emptying the bowl of stew as he had
been completely famished. And the warmth of the food as it
filled his stomach seemed to offer almost immediate effects on
the Roman’s weakened state. But Arthur was no fool, he knew
that he would need a few days of solid rest to completely
recover…if the wound would remain free from infection.

Neeve
 
“Yes, I have seen him. I tended to him before the
messenger boy that you had sent arrived…he is in good
hands…and will be alright again…physically. For all
else, he will need his moody red-haired woman and his
friends more than ever…”


Arthur sighed with relief at the encouraging news on Dagonet.
Of course the loss of his son will go on to pain the tall
Sarmatian for a long time to come, Arthur feared. Yet, the
Commander certainly sympathized…he would mourn Gedeon’s loss
and carry his own guilt at the knight’s death for quite some
time as well. But, Arthur allowed a brief smile at the mention
of Saoirse….she would look after Dagonet.

Darya then returned with the tea and Arthur gratefully
accepted a cup from his lover’s hand. The Roman’s emerald eyes
looked to her with gentleness and concern and he lightly
brushed his hand over Darya’s in silent support as she joined
him at the table. Arthur then slid the plate of cheese and
bread in front of his lover; giving her a nod in encouragement
to eat as Neeve spoke again.

Neeve
 
“So do you…drink. You look as though you need it just as
much as he does. Has either of you really rested
properly in the last hours?”


“She is right Darya, please drink…and eat,” Arthur quietly
spoke to Darya while ignoring Neeve’s quip about their lack of
rest. The Commander had rested enough in his opinion…but he
had serious concerns about whether or not Darya had. He would
see to it though…his lover would spend the remainder of the
evening and night quietly here in bed.

Neeve
 
“Well then, Commander…let’s have a look at your injury…”


“If you insist,” Arthur answered as he sat down his mug and
gave Neeve a wry grin. He then pulled his black tunic up over
his head, grimacing only once at the pain the movement caused
him, and draped the garment over the edge of the table. Arthur
pushed his chair back from the table and sat up straight to
give Neeve complete access to his side. He reached up to rub
thick fingers over the stubble that itched at this throat. A
shave and a proper bath would suit the Commander now….but not
a luxury he could afford tonight considering the impending
return of his officers and further duties he’d need to perform
– wounded and weak or not.

“Darya, please eat….the tea is not enough, hm?” Arthur said
gently to his lover and offered the Sarmatian a caring smile
in the hopes of reassuring her. There was much to discuss
between them still….once they were alone again. Arthur’s gaze
briefly ticked to Darya’s abdomen as Neeve began her work. A
child…my child. Surprise and astonishment still filled
Arthur’s thoughts on the matter. The Roman still felt unworthy
of a family of his own….and how could he protect them? He was
a soldier and duty often took him away from the fortress and
into danger and possibly to his own death each and every
mission.
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