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August 2008
Topic Started: Apr 12 2010, 09:09 PM (2,838 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Tue Aug 12, 2008 4:34 pm
Tristan


Ione
 
"I found her in the bushes near the chapel..."


His eyes focused downward on the injured bird, Tristan deftly
and carefully took her from the weaver girl- still wrapped in
a thick piece of cloth that hung down almost to the ground.
With infinite gentleness, Tristan folded back the layer of
cloth covering the bird and tried to assess the damage. The
wing...it was clearly the left wing that was injured, but he
couldn't tell just yet if it was actually broken or just
wrenched or what. And how had it happened? He reached out to
comfortingly stroke the bird on the head with one finger,
smoothing her soft feathers...but then became uncomfortably
aware that Ione was still there, looking up at him earnestly
and anxiously. Oh, of course...the cloth was her cloak.
Tucking the bird into the crook of one arm, he started to
unwind the cloak from around her, taking almost painful care
the whole time- but then Ione spoke again.

Ione
 
"I would like to help, Tristan."


"Well..." Tristan was momentarily stymied by her statement.
Hadn't she already helped- by bringing him the bird? Why did
it matter so much to her, anyway? Perhaps she was one of those
women with a soft spot for all animals...yes, that must be it.

"I, er..." Tristan unwrapped another layer of the cloak, a
little awkwardly because there was so much extra dangling down
now. He was rapidly feeling like he was getting lost in it- a
whole floor-length cloak, even a woman's, was not the most
convenient thing to wrap up a small hawk in.

"I don't suppose you have...anything smaller?" He eyed Ione
uncertainly, then quickly continued. "I'll get it back to you
as soon as I can." Mentally he reviewed the contents of his
saddlebags as he returned his gaze down to the bird again, but
while he wouldn't have hesitated to tear up a shirt or
somesuch for a splint if they had been out on a scouting trip,
it seemed a bit of a waste to do so right here in the stables.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:43 pm
Ione


With all of the gentleness she had not expected to see from
any knight, Ione watched Tristan peel the heavy fabric from
the injured bird. Ione felt a bit foolish about using
something so heavy, but she had wanted to keep the bird warm
and prevent it from going into shock. The way he stroked it's
feathers while trying to assess the damaged wing. Ione wished
she could have done more for it, and she hoped that Tristan
would let her help with the hawk. She remembered the first
time she had met Tristan, the knight with the hawk. She had
watched handlers before and wondered what it was like to have
one perched high and proud on your arm, or watch it go free.
The beautiful brown feathers...the fierce golden eyes....the
way it seemed to "communicate" with her master right now. As
he started to unwind the cloak, Ione waited uncertainly hoping
she had done the right thing. The cloak was long, and it
looked ridiculously long to wrap such a small bird in, but as
she had thought before, it had been to keep it warm and to
steady the wing so that it did not flap around much.

Her offer to help had come from her heart. right now, it made
her forget all of the other problems she was facing Her
concern now was to see that the bird would survive and heal
well. Her next concern was Tarik who was looking very pregnant
with Maelwys’s colt. But that colt would not be born for a few more months though...late Spring she guessed. Tristan's soft voice broke her thoughts...

Tristan
 
"Well..." "I, er..." "I don't suppose you
have...anything smaller?" "I'll get it back to you as
soon as I can."


Ione's eyes met his, then looked at the light weight woven
shawl that she wore with this particular dress. It rested over
her shoulders, and was only used as extra warmth. She moved to
help Tristan with the long flowing cloak steadying it until it
lay on the floor about their boots . "My shawl..." Reaching up, Ione undid the shawl which was not as long as the cloak, and would fit around the bird's body a lot better. "I ripped it on a nail....you can use it how you wish...You need not return it, Tristan." She handed the shawl to the knight meaning every word she had said. Being a weaver, Ione could always make herself another. They needed to find a safe place to work on the hawk as well, and the only place closest to here was her quarters. Ione bent over and picked up her cloak.

"My quarters are close....if you wish a safe place to work on
her....."

Ione did not want him to think badly of her, or that she had
deliberately suggested her quarters, but it was a safe place
for them to work. There was a fresh water basin there with
fresh water, and other things he could use if he wanted to.
The stables were just not safe, and the noises would distress
the bird more....
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Kay
Date: Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:32 am
Guinevere


Merlin
 
“In the future, daughter, remember that there are
punishments that fit the crime and those that do not.
Leaving five of our warriors utterly defenseless while
you went to an unknown fate in the fortress was not
wise, and two of them have paid the final price because
of your actions. Go help cover them. Look upon their
faces and consider how you might have done otherwise.”


The anger in Merlin's voice made Guinevere wince. She watched
as he moved away; her body was tense with a sense of
injustice. What else was she to have done? Let one of the men
maul her? Allow the drunken warriors to roll around the forest
doing who knew what? She sighed heavily and stalked away to
where the dead men lay. Gazing down at their lifeless faces,
she felt only anger at the men, and at their whole sex that
they should be governed so easily by their baser desires.
Women were stronger than that! she thought. But then she
remembered poor, deranged Mona. Most women were stronger than
that, the princess corrected herself.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:02 am
Tristan


Ione
 
"My shawl...I ripped it on a nail....you can use it how
you wish...you need not return it, Tristan."


“I can’t just…” Tristan muttered a protest, disturbed by the
idea of just taking Ione’s shawl, ripped on a nail or no, and
using it in pieces for a bird splint, but despite his inner
misgivings, he found himself reaching out and taking it
anyway. He needed something, and she was offering…but he had
really thought more along the lines of just a scrap of cloth.
Shaking his head, he handed it back to her, placing it on top
of the cloak which she had now gathered in her arms.

Ione
 
"My quarters are close....if you wish a safe place to
work on her....."


“Mmmm…here.” Tristan shook his head again and pointed over
with his free hand at the entrance to the tack room at the
side of the main stable doors. Closer even than Ione’s
quarters, and he could probably find his requirements there.
Once they had taken a few steps towards it, he offered the
hawk back to her with a questioning look on his face- he
needed her to hold the bird for a moment while he solved their
need for a piece of cloth. If anyone’s clothing was going to
be used for this, it was going to be his, not Ione’s. A strip
off the bottom of his shirt would probably do the trick.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Wed Aug 13, 2008 10:08 am
Ione


She held out the battered shawl to Tristan hoping that he'd
take it. It was already ripped, and she saw no sense in
destroying another piece of cloth when this one was already
ripped. If he didn't use it, it'd probably meet with the rest
of the scraps she'd use to weave a new piece of cloth. Ione
was glad when the knight took it from her. It was all that she
had to offer besides her help...

Tristan
 
“I can’t just…”


...Ione frowned though as he refused it placing it back on top
of the cloak she had in her arms. She was ready to say
something, but held back. Perhaps he had something better in
mind. Of all of the knights, Tristan was the most mysterious,
but Ione didn't mind. Right now, all men were a mystery to
her. Well, she had given up guessing about men after Mirtha's
less than happy response to her news. Ione supposed that right
now, she just needed to know someone...anyone cared about her.
Ione had already decided to raise the child alone....

It broke her heart to think that she was destined to be alone
forever. No, she was not naive, but just when she thought she
had found someone special, he had left her. When she first met
Tristan, all she had wanted was a friend and nothing more.
Ione still felt that way. Friends were worth their weight in
gold, and a good friend was hard to find....at least one that
did not take "advantage" of another.

Ione broke her thoughts, and looked at the hawk in the
knight's arms. To be that loved and cared for was something
Ione once again could only dream about. She waited patiently
to hear of Tristan's idea, and she didn't have to wait
long....

Tristan
 
“Mmmm…here.”


...Deep chocolate eyes followed the knight's free hand toward
a tack room not far off from where they were. It was closer
that her quarters, and the bird could get cared for faster.
Ione followed Tristan to the room, and upon arrival, he
carefully handed the hawk back the her. She returned his
questioning glance with one that she hoped assured him that
she'd be careful and that she was not afraid of it. Her father
had told her that animals and birds could sense fear in humans
as well as danger, and that made them retaliate....Ione felt
honored to hold such a lovely bird, and it didn't seem to mind
either. The last thing she wanted was to be bitten by that
powerful beak of hers. Ione talked to it softly, and the
hawk's head sort of turned to study her.

Patiently she waited, while Tristan thought of what he needed.
Not far off there was a table that would suffice if they
needed it...
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:13 pm

Tristan


Fortunately, Ione seemed comfortable holding the hawk- and
furthermore, the comfort seemed to be mutual. Tristan was a
little surprised by that, as surprised as he had been that she
had brought the bird to him in the first place, but he made no
comment about it and busied himself assembling his
requirements once they were in the tack room. He untucked his
shirt, pulling the hem of it out from underneath the
metal-studded tunic that he had worn for protection on the
mission, and after making a little nick in the fabric with his
knife to get it started, tore a neat strip off the bottom of
it and laid it on the table. A couple of minutes of searching
around produced two sticks of what he judged to be an
appropriate thickness, which he cut to a suitable length.
After that, he was ready for the hawk again- and he sure as
hell hoped this would work.

He carefully took the bird from Ione, answering her anxious
cheep with a soft, nearly wordless murmur of reassurance, and
set her on the table, where he could extend the wing and
hopefully apply some kind of splint. It was the bone there at
the upper edge of the wing that was hurt- and now that he got
a closer look at it, Tristan didn't think it was all the way
broken, just sprained, or whatever you would call it when it
was a bird's wing. A little extra support would hopefully do
it- that, and a couple of days' rest from flying. He bent his
head to his task, setting the small sticks along the length of
the wingbone for support, and tying them carefully into place
with the strips from his shirt. It took a while before he was
satisfied with the results of his work, but when he finally
raised his head, he was once again surprised to see that Ione
was still standing there, attentively, intently watching what
he had been doing.

The scout cleared his throat awkwardly.

"She'll be all right," he rasped by way of reassurance, his
eyes all on the hawk, one finger tenderly stroking her head
feathers. He should get her something to eat next, he
thought...best to keep her well fed so she wouldn't be tempted
to try to fly. Maybe Vanora would have some scraps she
wouldn't mind giving him.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:00 pm

Arthur


The Roman winced as the tip of Neeve’s needle pierced the
tender skin along his wound. The healer’s touch was as gentle
as ever, but due to the fact that Arthur’s flesh was still
irritated with infection…it hurt. Silently, Arthur prayed for
his own swift recovery while Neeve mended the broken stitches
in his side. He had felt the small affectionate kiss to his
brow from Darya and briefly smiled up at her despite the
discomfort of Neeve’s necessary ministrations.

Neeve
 
“I am always at your service, Commander…do you want me
to come up with a special treatment for your knights to
prevent them from drinking too much ale?”


Arthur offered Neeve a wry grin while biting at his bottom lip
against the pain she inflicted with her sharp needle. Both of
the Commander’s hands gripped at his thick muscular thighs;
the only other outward indication of his discomfort as he felt
the tug of the thread in his flesh as Neeve tied off the last
of the fresh stitches.

“That, my lady, would be a miracle should you ….manage it,”
Arthur half grunted while Neeve completed her task of
stitchery and went on to apply a salve.

Arthur lifted his gaze to Darya again searching her expression
for a sign whether or not she would accept what he was
suggesting. Clearly there was apprehension in Darya’s dark
eyes and although her lips parted as if to speak….silence
stretched between them instead. And in that moment of silence,
Arthur felt Darya’s fingers grasp a bit tighter at his
shoulder….and he felt a wave of nausea wash over him again….no
doubt due to the heat simmering on his brow and lack of proper
rest.

Darya
 
“If you think that’s the right thing to do…”


“I do,” Arthur answered with complete confidence in his voice
and sincerity in his liquid green eyes as he looked up at
Darya’s pale face. He considered her quiet words her
submission to what the Roman wished to do as well. Neeve could
be much more than a midwife to Darya should Arthur fail to
return from the next mission or battlefield. Neeve could
physically protect Darya if need be and Arthur trusted the
Briton above all other healers at the fortress.

“Neeve,” Arthur’s brilliant green eyes once more turned to his
trusted friend and healer as he began to explain. “Darya
carries my child and it is my expressed wish that you tend her
pregnancy…as a personal favor to me,” Arthur spoke without
further hesitation as he focused on the Briton. Neeve had
begun to apply fresh bandages and had not the chance to
respond to the Commander’s words when a clear and resounding
knock came at the door. Arthur’s eyes ticked to the entrance,
half expecting Lancelot to come striding into the room…well,
there would have been no knock preceding the dark knight’s
arrival. Instead, another officious voice called through the
door…

Amadeus
 
"Amadeus Scipio, Commander."


Thank God. Scipio had returned at last. And with favorable
words Arthur prayed.

“Come!” The Commander called out while he lifted his right arm
to allow Neeve better access to re-wrap his wounded side.
Unfortunately, Arthur sat barefoot and shirtless…wounded and
weak…to receive his Roman second in command. Not a condition
Arthur cared for anyone to see him in, but not important at
the moment as Scipio carried pertinent information that Arthur
had been waiting to hear for hours now. He sighed with a hint
of his relief and then silently prayed to God for favorable
news.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:13 pm
Drake


Drake wasn't insulted. He had never given any hint to the fact
that he might be able to read or write. He gave away no hints
that he might be able to do anything other than soldiering. To
all appearances Drake was just that - a soldier. When in truth
he was a leader of men, a farmer, a mediocre blacksmith, a
stable hand, killer, father and many other things to boot. No
one ever paid too much attention to a man like Drake Octavius
though... it was hard business getting too deep in a past like
his. He was a closed book... pun intended.

Linnette
 
"Oh...of course, well...not of course, but I didn't
mean..I'm sorry."


Seeing Linnette's stark embarrassment at her own presumption,
however, was cute adorable. Drake smirked and dipped his head,
trying not to show much amusement but it was rather hard. She
took the book from his hands with reverence, peering at teh
spine of it, caressing it with her hand in a way that made
Drake's fingers curl into his palm. He wanted to be ecstatic
with her. He wanted to be excited and thrilled with her, to
share in some of the feelings she was having right now, but he
had blocked himself off for so damn long that it was hard to
know what he was really feeling, let alone know what someone
else was really feeling. So in the end he watched her perusal
of the book with an almost pained look to his face.

Linnette
 
"Well...yes, a bit surprised, Do you think I could read
it some time?"


Her honesty was touching. Drake gave a brief snort of
amusement when she gave a soft laugh, he bowed his head but
lifted his eyes to watch her looking at the book. It was like
a treasure to her... things he took so much for granted. He
had had opportunity to read books upon books in Jerusalem -
his master's library had been substantial, some of the texts
quite ancient too. What would Linnette have thought of that?

Drake's simpering smile was wiped from his face immediately
when she looked back up at him and he glanced from her
hesitant smile to her hands, holding the book so carefully.
Her question made him smile. It was a knowing smile, his eyes
warm and pleased that she had asked. His head nodded and he
tapped his fingers against the hard cover before he turned
away from her.

"You can..." he said, a 'but' hanging in the air between them
as he went to his saddlebags, hunkering down to root amongst
the random bits he possessed. He gave a murmur of
acknowledgement when his fingers found what he sought and
pulled out one small bound book. It was no more than the size
of his hand and no thicker than his flat hand but he smiled as
he walked to Linnette, offering it out to her.

"But this you can borrow now. It's about a woman masquerading
as a man in the town near where I came from." Drake said and
scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, looking down at the
tiny book and wondering if Linnette would find it as amusing
as he had. Of course the references to the places had been
significant for him coming from there... would she find it
funny too?

"It's a comedy." he explained uselessly.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Starbelle
Date: Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:29 pm
Tatiana


After sharing a friendly conversation, which soon lapsed into
companionable silence between the two of them, Tatiana watched
as he got his cloak from where it hung on the rack.

Adian
 
"I have to go out and get some things done right now
before it gets too late. I'll be back soon. Nothing you
can help me with really. I just need to be alone. So why
don't you get your things from the stables, and just
make yourself to home...unless you have duties in the
stables that need tended to...."


"Alright, Adian. I'll do that and see you later, then. Be
careful out there, though whereever and whatever it is that
you need to do." She said to him, a tone of caution entering
her voice as she spoke to him as she wasn't quite sure if all
of the woads were completly gone from the fort yet and didn't
want to lose him.

Debating on whether or not to wear her cloak or leave it
behind, she decided on wearing it as she didn't want to catch
cold as there would be plenty of times to leave it behind once
Spring finally arrived.

Heading out and over to the stables, Tatiana made her way up
the stairs towards the top level in the barracks where her cot
was and gathered up her belongings she kept there. Her box of
dried herbs including the knife that she used for collecting
them which she kept hidden underneath her pillow, carefully
closed it and placed it inside the box too, along with a few
other things.

That should be just about it.

After doing a bit of cleaning and a few other chores, left the
stables behind and entered the quarters she now called home
with Adian. Once inside, she unpacked her meager belongings
and walking over the fire, stoked it gently until a warm,
welcoming blaze crackled merrily in the hearth with the
relaxing scent of lavender in it.

Going over to her cloak that she'd taken off and laid across
her bed, Tatiana placed her hands into each pocket until she
found the little sticks and walking over to where they'd had
their little meal placed the meat and cheese in an alternating
pattern evenly on both sticks, placing them on the table and
going over to the skin refilled both glasses with the wine.
With the fire crackling away warming the little room, she
added another small sprig of lavender to it awaiting Adian's
arrival back home.

I hope that he likes this as he might be hungry when he
returns from where ever it is that he went and what ever
errands that he had to do.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: linnet
Date: Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:35 pm
Mother Lavinia


Lancelot
 
"Listen, madam. I know what this woman is. I have kept
her company on plenty of ocassions and will continue to
do so. But when any person, no matter their stature or
place in this stinking hellhole of a country, has
information about my commanding officer that might be of
assistance to me - if I find out that he's been holding
out, when I could have helped - Think what you like.
Just, see to Galahad, as he is my brother and I need him
alive and in good condition. We may be the scum of this
place - but as long as we breathe, we watch your back.
Give me that, at least…..I will allow the 'woman' to
'kiss me better.' Gods forbid I should use up what
supplies you have left. Eyla. Perhaps we should continue
this conversation elsewhere. I seem to be persona non
grata as of this moment. Besides, I think you can tell
me more about your kneeling talents in private. Shall
we?"


Lavinia stood planted firmly in front of the whore and
Lancelot, listening with a measure of amazement as the knight
spoke, and spoke, and spoke some more. A couple of times she
was prepared to reply to something specific he brought up, but
there was no opportunity to get a word in edgewise. One would
have thought she had questioned his lineage, his honor, his
courage, his loyalty, his sanity. As she remembered it, in
what seemed like a long time ago, all she had done was demand
that he and the hussy leave her infirmary if they were going
to carry on lewdly in public. Admittedly, she had overreacted
a little to the harlot’s crass words, but still, her
overreaction was no match for that of Arthur’s first knight.

The nun kept her stern gaze on the dark haired knight. There
was no need for him to explain his interest in the whore, said
explanation making no sense whatsoever. There was no need to
suggest that she considered him scum. She certainly did not.
And given the chance she would have pointed out that he was
blowing her reasonable request to do his lecherous business
elsewhere, way out of proportion. But by the time his words
finally wound down to a trickle, he was on his way out the
door. The whore was gone too, having had no more chance to
sneak in so much as a peep, than Lavinia had.

Still standing in the same place, after Lancelot had stepped
around her to exit, Lavinia stared at the empty space where he
had been. “Well, wasn’t that something?” she said and smiled.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:34 pm
Adian


As he stepped out into the corridor, feeling a bit of the damp
night air on his face, Adian could not help but feel that the
weather was mirroring his mood. He felt he had to be alone,
and to think on Thorn and the memories they had shared. It was
between he and his lost love. He had not left the doorway yet,
and he heard Tatiana's voice behind him....

Tatiana
 
"Alright, Adian. I'll do that and see you later, then.
Be careful out there, though whereever and whatever it
is that you need to do."


And something you cannot be party to, Tatiana. I have to do
this myself... "I'll be seein' you later, and yes, I will be
careful. If you get tired, don't wait up..." Adian cast a
glance back over his shoulder at his new room mate, her copper
hair shining in the firelight. "...and you be careful as well,
my sweet." The young man turned and headed down the corridor
and out into the courtyard. Adian pulled his cloak closer
about him almost making him blend in with the shadows...the
same shadows that had hidden him from Thorn the night she gone
off with another man, and the same ones that had allowed him
to leave the fort, hunt for meat, and bring that same meat
back to the fort.

Hopefully, no one would ever guess that it was him. Adian had
tried to do good once and had been punished for it, so his
good deed, he felt, had to remain a secret. Being a carpenter,
he assessed some of the damage from the recent battle...some
that needed immediate attention. The barn that he had helped
rebuild was in remarkable condition except for a broken window
or two. The smaller building next to it was in need of some
repairs. Fuckin woads anyway! You don't care who you destroy
or what! You just care about your goddamn selves! You ruined
my life and took away everything that I held dear! I curse
you, and damn you all to hell! Tears of hate came to his deep
gray eyes. Normally, he found forgiveness for some things, but
this? This was not worthy of any form of forgiveness! What if
someone killed Juna? What would Merlin feel about that.... the
bastard!

Approaching it, Adian allowed his trained hands to feel the
size and shape of the snapped pieces of wood. Looking up, he
saw that he was close to the infirmary. Perhaps he should
check there for damage. He made a mental note of the building
he was next to, and headed toward the infirmary. Stepping
inside, he left his cloak fall back a bit, and began to assess
the building for damage...









Vanora

It had been a long day for she and Bors and the children, and
now the family was all together, the children fed, washed, and
dressed for bed. Bors had slept quite a bit since they had
gotten home, and had not even been awake long enough to eat
anything much. Pulling the curtains so the children could not
see their dad's leg injury, Vanora pulled back the blankets,
and checked out the bandaged area. It was still a tad swollen,
and looked tender. It was a good sign that the wound was
draining though, and it was almost time for her to change the
bandage on it...if she could do it without hurting Bors.
Sometimes the cloth stuck to the wound, but perhaps if she
dampened the cloth, it'd become unstuck, and things would go
smoothly.

Leaning toward Bors face, Vanora said softly, "Hey, it is time
to change the bandage, Bors..." Just a fair warning really.
Forgive me Bors, but I am a tavern manager, not a healer...
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: linnet
Date: Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:44 pm

Gawain and Mother Lavinia


Gawain watched silently and anxiously as Lancelot seemed to be
winding himself tighter and tighter, like a coiled spring that
was about to explode in a burst of terrible stored energy.
Eyla and Lavinia both seemed dumbstruck by the Dark Knight’s
tirade, although Eyla’s amused smirk contrasted markedly from
Lavinia’s almost cowed look of surprise.

The gist of the matter seemed to be that Lancelot would follow
the nun’s order to leave – with the pretty temptress, of
course. Gawain wanted them both to go and to be quick about
it. Lancelot, in this state of agitation could do no good for
Galahad, and was more likely to provoke the younger man than
to help him. And both the Dark Knight and Eyla seemed set on a
course guaranteed to provoke Lavinia. Gawain needed an
unprovoked, calm Lavinia to get her ass over to Galahad. So
the faster Lancelot and the fancy whore left, the better -
once the matter of the wager was settled.

Lancelot
 
"I acquiesce. Find me later. I will report to Arthur on
Galahad - please see to him as best you can."


“Yeah, right,” the blond knight grumbled, almost under his
breath. He might as well just kiss any chance of ever
collecting on that bet goodbye. He wasn’t going to press the
matter now. That would just hold everything up even longer.
Gawain merely scowled at Lancelot in response to his ‘order’
to see to Galahad. What the hell did the man think? That
Gawain would abandon his friend for some reason so urgent as
say, a good fuck with the fort’s star prostitute? Ah, no fair,
the fair knight relented in his mind. It was after all,
Lavinia that was forcing Lancelot to go.

Gawain actually breathed a sigh of relief when the First
Knight and Eyla went out the door. But Lavinia just stood
staring after them.

He approached the old nun apprehensively, and took hold of her
arm, trying to get her moving toward Galahad and Fiona. “Come
on, Lavinia,” he said impatiently. She startled at the
intrusion, batting at his hand as if it were a pesky fly. When
she first turned her face toward him, Gawain almost thought he
saw a smile on her lips. But he must not have seen right, for
in the next instant her face was the perfect picture of
irritation. ‘Unhand me,” she scolded, and hurried off in the
direction of Galahad’s bed. Gawain followed. When they reached
Fiona and the young knight, Gawain answered their wondering
looks with an exasperated shake of his handsome head.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:15 pm
Ione


Ione and the bird studied each other.

It was one of the best moments that had happened to her since
returning to the fort, and Ione was glad that Tristan had
allowed her to help him in caring for the bird. Around her
homestead, Ione had loved to find injured small animals and
try to nurse them back to health. Though her mother
disapproved as young ladies should not mingle with bloody
smelly things, Ione's father had a big heart for injured
animals and would always help her tend to them. "God's
creation..." he use to tell her, and used his wisdom to teach
her what to do...though she still deemed her father as the
best animal healer. Ione's dark eyes looked up from the
injured bird, to see Tristan untucking his shirt after he had
gotten the items he needed. As she watched him cut into the
bottom of his shirt, and ripping it to make a good sized
strip, Ione made a mental note to make him a new one. Knights,
so far as she knew, did not make that much money, and she'd do
this for Tristan.

Ione stepped closer to the table where he lay the freshly torn
strip of cloth, then had gone off, returning with two sticks
that'd do well for splints. The young woman adjusted her arms
so that the hawk could be taken from her, a weak sound issuing
from it's beak as the knight talked to it while taking it from
Ione. It was hard to believe that a man of battle could be so
gentle....even so gentle as to work on such a delicate thing
as a bird's wing. The trust that passed between man and
bird...the way he placed and tied the splints in place.

For once, Ione could just stand and watch.

When Tristan was done mending the bird's wing, he had caught
her there still watching him work. Ione had to make sure that
the bird was going to make it. They cannot fend for themselves
if they are injured, pet. They would starve and die... Her
father use to say. Ione missed her parents, but mostly her
father...

Tristan
 
"She'll be all right,"


"I am glad to hear it," Ione said softly so as not to scare
the hawk. She thought of Mirtha. Was he still angry at her?
And did she dare go back to the shop right now? Placing her
cloak about her shoulders, Ione looked at Tristan. "I-I should
be going back to the shop..." Ione went to the door way. She
still had not eaten much, but perhaps she had some scones at
the shop. "Is there anything else I can do?"
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: sabor ice
Date: Thu Aug 14, 2008 1:36 am

Ash


Juna
 
“You know that Merlin would see that Eala will always
have someone. Besides, as long as I have a hand in
things, you will be here.”


Ash was not asking for Juna to assume the role of a mother for
Eala, nor even a primary caretaker, and he would not expect it
of her. Eala was old enough now to look after herself. She had
witnessed battle and experienced more hardships than any
normal child might see throughout their entire lifetime. She
had never really been a child to begin with. War was all Ash
had ever known, and it was the same for Eala. She was just as
much a Woad and warrior as he was, and the last thing she
needed was protection. Juna assured Eala would never be
over-looked or forgotten, and that was all he needed to know.

In the failing light of eve, Ash could see the blonde of
Eala's hair as she scrambled to hurriedly carry out Juna's
task. Her frantic movements and gestures toward another Woad -
whom she appeared to be attempting to gain attention from -
convinced Ash that he needn't worry about her future. She was
too headstrong to give up on anything, too stubborn to give
in, and far too persistent to be forgotten.

He silently wondered if her excitement now came from feeling
useful, or simply from being afraid for him. Inside the fort,
his quest had become personal. Somewhere along the way, their
indifferent bond had made the transition to inexplicable
attachment. Ash didn't know why he cared, aside from
apparently needing to be needed. For him, emotion had always
been irrelevant. He had nothing to offer the girl and
vise-versa. Things had been much less complicated when she was
still just a toe-rag in his eyes. Perhaps if he lived, he'd
consider going back to ignoring her again.

Juna
 
“No, I don’t think she’d survive, and I don’t know why
you’d want someone who has lost all reason, and who has
tried to murder your daughter, brought back to the
village… where she would spend her demented days calling
me a crone and chasing after you.”


Oh yes, Mona...

The Woad breathed out a quiet, mirthless laugh. How suddenly
(and conveniently) insanity had rocked her boat. Had it not
been only a few hours past since he spoke with her behind
Hadrian's Wall? Interesting she'd so abruptly go from being
alert, focused, and coherent to a bumbling lunatic, as soon as
she had been branded a traitor. Ash didn't take much stock in
coincidence.

A quiet hiss escaped his lips when Juna pulled the poultice
away to inspect whether or not the infection had drawn back
with the light Eala had provided for her. Ash didn't hear
Merlin's rant, as Juna had begun to sew up his wound. The
corners of his eyes were pinched as he gazed up through the
trees, trying to stay relaxed through the painful ordeal. It
was a dull ache now thanks to the medication the healer had
earlier administered unto him, but the experience was still
far from pleasant.

"Am I the only one of my rescue party who hasn't lost their
mind?" he muttered rhetorically.

Guinevere had acted foolishly and cost several warriors their
lives, Mona had allegedly cracked up, and Connell apparently
had run away. Honestly, what was happening to the Woads around
here? Ash reached out a hand and briefly caught Juna's wrist
as she finished stitching.

"If they insist on carrying her home, kindly ask for it to be
done far from me. I think I've suffered enough for one day,"
the Woad added - a small wry smile touching his pale features
- although he was completely serious. The last thing he could
muster was the strength to survive listening to the traitor's
psycho babble bullshit all the way to the village. Let his
enemy come and hack him limb for limb - the agony would've
been tolerable in comparison. If it had been up to him, Ash
would've left the bitch for the wolves. It was unfortunate
that the Romans had taken only Neeria and not the blonde as
well.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:24 am
Linnette


Drake
 
"You can...but this you can borrow now. It's about a
woman masquerading as a man in the town near where I
came from. It's a comedy."


“Oh!” Linnette’s eyes widened further as she took the second,
smaller book from Drake and balanced it on top of the first.
He had two books? Half a library in those heavy, awkward
saddlebags she’d watched him drag around most of the day!
Fascinated, she opened the cover of the smaller book and
scanned the first page inside- it was written in a plain,
neat, hand, and largely unornamented, but she could see
snatches of the story as she skimmed and recognize dialogue,
and what were no doubt funny situations, as Drake said. She
gave a small, thoughtful, half-smile, her mouth twisting to
the side slightly as she gazed down at the book. She would
never have claimed to be in the mood for comedy- but maybe it
would be a good diversion, too. A woman masquerading as a man?
It sounded like it could be quite amusing.

She looked back up at Drake and met his eyes, both books
cradled in her arms. He looked a bit hesitant, as if he was
not sure if she would be interested, and she smiled to
reassure him, more broadly than she had yet since Gedeon’s
death, she thought. She loved to read, and she got to see new
books so seldom…and Linnesse would like them, too! Holding
both books like this was like holding a treasure- figuratively
and literally. They were so valuable! On that thought, she
belatedly shifted their weight, holding just the little one
against her chest with her bad left hand, while holding the
larger one out for Drake to take back with her good one- since
he had said he wanted her to borrow the little one first.

“Thank you- I’ll take very, very good care of it,” she assured
him fervently, before shaking her head almost in disbelief. It
was hard to credit, the amount of good he had done her today.

“It’s so generous of you,” she added in a smaller voice, her
eyes dropping to the cover of the small book. How could she
ever repay even a fraction of that generosity? She didn’t
think the tavern had enough good food to even begin to cover
it, and what else was there for her to do?











Tristan

Ione
 
"I am glad to hear it. I- I should be going back to the
shop...is there anything else I can do?"


"Mm-mm." Tristan shook his head with a negative grunt and
stroked the hawk's head and back again as he started to make
his way out of the tack room and towards the main stable
doors. Tirgatao was settled, the hawk's bandage was taken care
of, and now it just remained to get her something to eat. And
himself, too. It was only as he approached the stable's big
double doors that he really remembered that Ione was still
beside him- and that she had done him a service by finding and
bringing him the hawk.

"Thanks," he added perfunctorily, turning to her with the
corner of his mouth turning up in just a bare hint of a smile.
He held the stable door long enough for her to pass through-
and then he was off, crossing the courtyard and following the
path towards the village, rather than the tavern. A couple of
moments later, he was knocking on the door of Bors and
Vanora's hut- where the sounds of childish voices inside
revealed that the household was home, and still awake.
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