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September 2008
Topic Started: Apr 22 2010, 01:55 PM (2,541 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:16 pm
Adian


Sleep felt so good, but the dim light shining through the
small window told him that there was a lot of work waiting for
him, and the sooner the better for starting early. He had
heard Tatiana moving and then sneezing...hopefully she had
gone back to sleep as he had no time to spend with her
today...except maybe lunch, and then perhaps not even that.
The young carpenter/hunter stretched lazily willing himself to
get his ruddy arse out of the snug cozy bed and get the hell
to work.

Half asleep, Adian sat up and turned so that his feet touched
the cold floor. He sat there waiting to wake up a bit more,
and focused on the wash basin full of cold water. Standing up,
Adian made his way over to the basin, leaned over, and bracing
his hands on either side of the basin, plunged his face into
the cold water, held it there, letting the shock of the sudden
cold jar him awake, then pulled up letting the water drip over
his night shirt. DAMN! That felt just dandy! A strong hand ran
over his face to wipe some of the loose water from his skin,
and shook his head so that his hair dried faster letting water
fly all over.

AH! MORNING!

He looked at his face in the small mirror, ran his fingers
through the wet wavy hair strands, then, satisfied, Adian went
over and dressed for the day: Trousers which he tucked into
his boots, a heavy woolen tunic and study tanned leather
jacket (which he had made himself) to keep him warm. He'd not
wear his cloak today as it was hard to work in it. Taking what
was left of the food, he packed himself some apples and cheese
with a slab of left over bread leaving the rest for Tatiana.

Taking his small bundle of food, Adian checked to see if he
had forgotten anything, then made his way toward the door, and
opened it to leave...
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: sirgawain
Date: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:27 pm
Gawain


Now that the initial heat of the moment had passed over
Gawain, it was easy for him to ignore Kolya’s subtle taunting.
He had no desire to humor the man’s attempts to stir the pot,
so to speak, and start yet another fight. He didn’t know why
the man was such a glutton for punishment, but as far as
Gawain was concerned, he wasn’t going to be the one to
administer it. Not to mention, he had more pressing things on
his mind when Alina started attacking him personally.

He was a little surprised by just how much it hurt when the
small woman brought up Brianna in such a vitriolic tone. The
pain slashed through his gut as if she had used the edge of a
rusty, dull sword, grating against his guts and the wounds
that had not yet healed. He winced, and he couldn’t help the
tortured expression that he knew was beginning to spread
across his face. His demons were hard enough to chain under
normal circumstances, let alone these, where they were being
blatantly provoked.

Alina
 
"And, you are the herald of perfect relationships. And,
Galahad is a chaste innocent. You chastise me with your
words, Gawain, and yet I do not see how you have won the
right. Tell me you are without sin and then condemn me."


He found himself clenching his fists again. This time he
wasn’t restraining violence, but rather his own unruly
emotions. He didn’t want to lose himself here, in front of
this bitter woman and this man he had no intention of showing
any sort of personal feelings in front of. All at the same
time, he was trying to think of the appropriate way to respond
to this attack. He was musing between a fight-fire-with-fire
response, and a fight-fire-with-reason response. However,
before he could even open his mouth, she had run off. He
rubbed his thumb between his brows, letting out a huge sigh
that was almost another growl. Well, if nothing else, at least
she was planning to speak to Galahad.

After a moment, Gawain paced over to Kolya and held out a hand
to shake. “I’m sorry about losing my temper. She’s right about
it being none of my business what goes on between you three,
but Galahad is my best friend, after all.” He supposed he was
looking for understanding, although he wasn’t sure why. He
didn’t care what this older man thought or felt about him, he
only cared about Alina and Galahad and that they were both
taken care of—and yet there was something about all of this
that was nagging at him at a deeper level. Was there something
that Kolya knew and Gawain didn’t that was causing Alina to
act so uncharacteristically? Gawain’s blue eyes blazed into
Kolya’s intensely, asking the question he wouldn’t utter
aloud.
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golden_trillium

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Author: golden_trillium
Date: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:24 am
Linnette and Linnesse


It was quite early yet, the sun just starting to peek over the
horizon and ease its light into the room, but Linnesse found
herself, rather unexpectedly, wide awake. She had been so used
to the lethargy of her illness, it felt strange to wake at
waking time again, ready to rise and not just to turn over and
go back to sleep. Strange, but welcome- she actually had
energy today! Smiling to herself, she kissed the
still-sleeping Derfel affectionately and adjusted the blanket
over his shoulders, then slipped out of their bed and quickly
pulled on her clothes against the chill of the room outside
the covers. She would make up a fire in the outer room, and
that way things would be warmer when Linnette got up.

With that goal in mind, Linnesse was surprised when she opened
the door to the outer room and found Linnette already sitting
on the couch, her feet tucked up under her, thoughtfully
poking her needle into one of her dresses that she was
mending. There was even a fire in the grate already, though it
didn’t seem to have been burning long- only the end of the
biggest log in there was even charred. Linnesse crossed to her
sister and sat down next to her, relieved once again to see
that Linnette was not crying at the moment- but her face did
look a little reddened, her eyelids heavy.

“It’s not light enough yet for sewing,” Linnesse joked gently
as she settled into a comfortable position on the couch, and
Linnette looked at her with a rueful smile- though it carried
the sadness that was always present on her face nowadays.

“I wasn’t sleeping,” she shrugged, setting the needlework down
in her lap with a light sigh. She had actually tried to read a
little of the book Drake had lent her earlier, when she had
first woke up, but that had been next to impossible, and
sewing could at least be done partially by the feel. As it
grew lighter, she had just continued, even though by now it
would have been much easier to make out words on a page.

“I’m going over to the tavern soon, anyway,” Linnette added,
making a mental note to maybe bring the book with her, in case
she had a free moment. She could take it over to Dagonet in
the infirmary to read, if she had more than a moment.

“So soon?” Linnesse’s face flashed concern, and Linnette
understood what she meant- not so soon in the morning, but so
soon after Gedeon’s death. Linnette shrugged again. In truth,
the thought of going to the tavern today and doing useful work
instead of sitting about moping was a reassuring thought.

“There’s too much to do- and being lazy doesn’t help.” She
sniffed a little, then sat forward, untangling her legs from
under her and putting her feet back on the floor.

“What’s that dress on the table for? One of yours?” She was
deliberately changing the subject, but Linnette was genuinely
curious about neatly the folded yellow dress on the table,
too- she had never seen it before, and if Linnesse had gotten
something new, why hadn’t she put it in her room?

“Oh…Ione brought it by last night while you were gone.”
Linnesse leaned forward and fingered a fold of the dress, then
pulled forward into her lap and held it up, shaking it out of
its folds. By daylight- or approaching daylight- it showed
itself to be a fine piece of work.

“Someone ordered it, then decided they didn’t want it,
apparently. I don’t know why she didn’t just try to sell it
again, but she gave it to me.” Linnesse shrugged wonderingly,
then held out the dress to Linnette to inspect.

“I thought you could have it, actually…or we could share it.”
A hopeful smile settled on Linnesse’s face, and Linnette
answered it with one of her own, as she fingered the material
of the dress- but after only a moment, she pushed it back to
Linnesse.

“Yellow looks a lot better on you…but I’ll ask if I want to
borrow it.” Linnesse reached out and began to pull the dress
back towards her, but stopped with it draped over both of
their laps, blurting out the rest of what was on her mind
concerning Ione with her gaze on the cloth.

“She’s pregnant, she told me…and she thinks Javier isn’t
coming back.” She eyed Linnette a bit cautiously from
underneath her eyelashes. The news about Ione wasn’t happy-
but Linnette knew her better than Linnesse did, having worked
with her in the tavern for a long time before Linnesse arrived
at the fort, and she would want to know.

Linnette sighed heavily, leaning back against the back of the
couch and raising her gaze to the ceiling. Beams of early
sunlight were starting to slant their way across it, lighting
up some of the corners between the timbers. There was a spider
web up there- a rather large one.

“I thought so,” she replied heavily, after a pause. Of course
Javier wasn’t coming back. Linnette had suspected it from the
very first time Ione had told her of the manner of his going-
what man who seriously intended marriage would not wed his
fiancé and take her with him when returning to his family’s
estate to live? Especially considering it was so far away.
Linnette had not had the heart to convey her thoughts on that
to Ione, but now it looked as though the other woman had come
to that conclusion for herself- and discovered that the
faithless man had left her pregnant, too. Why did men always
have to leave, one way or another? Why was their presence so
ephemeral, due to choice or accident? Wasn’t there such a
thing as stability anymore? And how were the women alone
supposed to raise all these abandoned, fatherless children?

“I should go to the tavern- help with breakfast,” Linnette
added suddenly, standing up abruptly and pushing the dress
back into Linnesse’s lap. She scooped up her sewing, needle
and pins still stuck in, and set it on the foot of her bed-
she’d come back to it later. Turning her back to her sister
and blinking back a slight sheen of tears, she scooped up the
book from the dresser that held her clothes and took a deep
breath, trying to settle herself for turning back around and
heading out the door and into the fort’s public areas. She
wanted to go out there, suddenly- wanted to be in the midst of
the most bustling, foot-numbingly busy mealtime the tavern had
ever seen- it would keep her from thinking too much about
other things.
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golden_trillium

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Author: LadyCastus
Date: Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:17 am
Mona


Mona curled her body even closer to Merlin. She pressed her
breasts against the leader’s back and purred softly in his
ear. The sunrise was just below the horizon, the new morning
bringing life sounds back to the forest. Birds chirped and
there was the distinct ruffling and scurrying of little feet.
Mona felt like she could be in heaven, but suddenly Merlin’s
body tensed next to hers and he sat bolt upright, throwing
back the furs and flinging her arm from around his waist. The
sudden movement startled Mona and instinctively she tried to
again place her arm back around him.

Merlin
 
”What are you doing, woman??”


Merlin’s anger and disgust didn’t immediately register with
Mona and she gave what she thought was a seductive smile.
There was a stirring behind her as someone tossed sticks on
the fire. Mona heard gasps as Merlin’s area was suddenly lit
up. She was unperturbed by the onlookers, better they found
out now, right here, that she was to be Merlin’s bride.

“I am ready to consummate our union,” Mona said happily.

The delusional warrior then pulled the furs back to cover them
and reached out to touch the leader again.
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golden_trillium

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Author: golden_trillium
Date: Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:54 pm
Merlin


Mona
 
”I am ready to consummate our union.”


“Our union?” Merlin repeated, aghast. The words were so
preposterous, so unexpected, that they almost froze the Woad
leader for a moment- but then she pulled the furs back up, and
her creeping hands reached for him again, and Merlin shrugged
away from her touch, tossed back the fur, and surged to his
feet, taking a step backwards as he looked down at the
madwoman in shock and contempt. Wariness, too…she had already
attacked Guinevere, was it possible she might consider doing
the same to Juna? Merlin edged over to his left a bit, putting
out an arm so that if Mona did go for Juna, she would have to
get through him, first. Behind him, Juna muttered something
derogatory; a quick glance back showed her lip curled up in a
sneer.

“Bitch,” she muttered, nearly spitting in her anger, and
Merlin held up his hand towards her in a brief attempt at a
calming gesture. He wasn’t sure if it had much impact.

“The Gods have clearly cursed your mind, Mona- we have no such
union, nor will we. You should lie down and get some more rest
while there is yet time.” Merlin strove to keep his voice
calm, soothing, even, but he was also eying the other Woads
who ringed the scene, letting them know silently that they
might be required to step in, should Mona persist in her
efforts to…to assault him. The idea of it was downright
ludicrous- Merlin would almost have laughed had not their
situation been so perilous still out here on the trail, and
Mona’s condition so suspicious in the first place. As it was,
though- there was no trace of humor in Merlin’s face or tone.
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golden_trillium

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Author: Pinkie
Date: Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:46 pm
Kolya


Alina's hissy fit was met with a curious, narrow-eyed glare
from Kolya. She had every right to flip out at Gawain the way
she did but it was rather unexpected too. Oh he knew she had a
fire in her belly when she wanted to - but it was just unusual
to see her so easily provoked. It had taken him alot more
effort than Gawain had expended to rile a reaction from her
the first time they met. The older Sarmatian couldn't help but
wonder if he was gradually worrying away at her defenses and
leaving her rather ...weakened. That thought did not appeal to
him and his blue eyes watched her passage intently.

Gawain extended his hand...

Kolya glanced down at the younger man's hand and up to his
face before slapping his palm against the proffered one.

Gawain
 
“I’m sorry about losing my temper. She’s right about it
being none of my business what goes on between you
three, but Galahad is my best friend, after all.”


Releasing his hand, Kolya gave a wry, bitter smile as he
nodded his head and looked off to where Alina had gone again.
He rubbed his chin noisily, the bristles prickling his
fingertips.

"Mmmph.." he grunted, looking back at Gawain with sage eyes.
It was for that reason alone that Kolya respected Gawain. The
fact that he was willing to get into a fight with someone over
his friend's dignity and reputation was admirable. As a
Sarmatian Knight, Kolya cuold really understand it. It didn't
mean it was right of course - but he certainly knew where
Gawain was coming from in challenging him.

"I get it." he intoned gruffly, looking into the other man's
eyes. Oh there were questions there but the answers were not
within Kolya's scope of understanding. He didn't understand
women- let alone one as volatile as Alina. He couldn't explain
to anyone, not even himself, what was going on with the woman.
He shrugged and tossed a hand into the air in dismissal. A
racking cough shook his shoulders as a reminder of his recent
ailments and Kolya thumped his chest hard.

"No hard feelings boy. None at all." the older Sarmatian said
in a rumbling monotone as he went to walk off in the opposite
direction to where Alina had gone, his brow furrowed in
thought as he passed Gawain, idly wondering to himself if Mari
would be back yet or if she was still off prancing around with
that stick of a lad, Milan.









Saoirse

Dagonet trying not to disturb her was like a gust of wind
trying not to whisk away ash on the breeze. The red head had
not slept soundly nor heavily during the night and upon waking
in the morning she was immediately aware of her lover
stretching beneath her. With a groggy feeling the red head sat
up, a hand to his chest as she steadied herself and turned a
cranky, sleepy, piercing look down at the large knight,
assessing him through a haze of muggy tiredness.

"Yer awake?" she asked, the last word trailing off into a slur
as she yawned, lifting a small hand to her mouth. Glancing
over her shoulder as if unsure of her surroundings, Saoirse
readjusted her position - sitting up on the edge of the bed,
her feet planted against the mattress and her arms dangling
down over her knees. Another yawn followed the first and it
was a noisy one, as if the Irish woman was being
inconvenienced with this yawning business.

She was aware that she couldn't spend all day in bed with
Dagonet as she had the day before. It was accepted then given
that he had just come back from battle - but today she would
have to try to make an effort to improve her training in the
healing arts. The prospect of having to make any effort at
anything at all today was a physical pain in Saoirse's head.
Her bleary blue eyes looked down at Dagonet. He looked as if
he had had as bad a night as she did. Saoirse sighed and
reached a hand around to touch his face, bottom lip drooping
in shared misery for him.

"D'ye not sleep, love?" she asked gently.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:53 pm
Ione


She awoke to a stab of pain, and her mouth opened in a silent
scream as the nun who had taken Titrus's place dabbed at her
forehead. Gods above! She felt just drained, but the pains and
movements would not let her body relax. Ione's hands grabbed
on to the blankets until her knuckles were white, then eased
the grip as the pain lessened. The nun spoke soothingly to
her, and it calmed her down a bit...her father had always told
her that prayers worked miracles, so Ione hoped the prayers
worked and that this Christian God would spare her child.

"water..." Ione murmured. "and...something to stop...the
pain..."

The nun nodded and reached over to fill a small cup with
water, then offered the small amount to Ione who drank it
gratefully, then pushed the cup away when she had had enough.
The nun helped her to lie back carefully on the bed. The
weaver closed her dark eyes, trying to relax a bit. All she
wanted was for someone to save her child which had moved off
and on all night long. 'I can give you a bit of something for
the pain, but just a small bit...' The nun mixed a small
amount of herbs into the cup, added water, and assured Ione
that this would stop the pain a small bit.

The drought had an odd taste, but Ione drank it anyway,
feeling that it would do exactly what the nun told her it
would do. After all, Ione was not a healer, and she assumed
that all healers knew their herbs.

'how...long have I..slept?' The young woman inquired sleepily.

'Since they brought you in dear, now just try to rest ,' The
nun replied.
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golden_trillium

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Author: Pinkie
Date: Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:16 pm
Eala


The ground was hard and uncomfortable. The root of an ancient
tree was her mattress, Ash's solid leg was her pillow. She had
not intended to fall asleep on his leg but it had been warm
and inviting and he didn't seem to mind. The little woad had
curled up near to Ash the night before, sitting cross-legged
and smiling at him encouragingly - the expression of hope and
reverence looking odd in her bruised face, her swollen lower
lip hanging a little lower than normal which made her look
almost simple.

When he had started to doze in sleep she had lay down, nestled
on her own arm. Sometime during the night she had found her
way up to lay her head on Ash's thigh and now when morning
struck it's pale, golden hue across the sky it found the
girl's blonde hair stuck to her face and her hand tucked up
under the man's knee.

"Nyah..." Eala moaned as she woke, sitting up and groggily
rubbing her eye with a balled up fist. Sleepy, black eyes
looked down at Ash and she gave his leg a rousing prod. She
looked him up and down, assessing his well-being before
scrambling up to sit closer to his head. Her little hand
reached down to touch his forehead as she had seen other
people do to those who were injured though she had no idea
what she was meant to be doing. Removing her hand, the little
blonde squinted down at Ash and she jutted her chin forward
slightly, asking after his health without speaking.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Lancelot
Date: Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:05 pm

Lancelot


Lancelot's good eye jerked to Arthur's face as the other man
sat up and attempted to wake. He still looked wan and
exhausted; not a look the first knight liked to see on the
commander. Actually, he'd tried to do everything in his power
to make sure Arthur didn't look like that for too long.

Apparently that hadn't been enough.

Arthur
 
“Lancelot….you are….late,”


"Indeed," the Sarmatian answered, and crossed his legs, trying
to get comfortable in the cold room despite his own sore body
and new injuries - on top of old ones. "I'm happy to see you
at least dressed for bed, as opposed to collapsing in a heap
in your armor like I'd expected you to."

He fidgeted with the ties of his leather vest, and stood
suddenly, handing out the folded clothing he'd carried from
his rooms. "Your tunic," he explained unnecessarily. "Thank
you for the loan. Don't worry, though - it has been cleaned
and pressed as I promised." He laughed humorlessly and moved
to the banked brazier. Stirring the coals back to life, he
bent over stiffly and added some new tinder to the flame. Soon
the thing was cooking nicely, and Lancelot turned back to face
Arthur. He took note of a jug of what he hoped was wine, and
picked it up. Sniffing, he grunted in satisfaction and brought
it with him to the bed.

"It's watered down. You could probably use a cup or three," he
said, and handed Arthur the jug.

His uninjured eye traveled down Arthur's form to the man's
side. "Your wound?" he asked. "How does it fare?" He kept the
tension and worry from his voice, but his eyes narrowed as
best they could, and it was only with careful restraint that
he was able to keep from touching Arthur's forehead to check
for fever.

He sat without realizing it at the edge of Arthur's large bed,
and rolled his neck from side to side. "I believe I owe you a
report, hm?"

And for the love of the gods, let's hope he ignores the black
eye. Perhaps he's too tired to see it. And then I can pummel
Galahad in peace on my own time.

Sitting as he was, despite the strange way he held his tired
body, despite his aches and pains and the awkwardness he felt
around Arthur - Hadrian's balls, but would that last forever?
- he found himself smiling slightly. Some of the camraderie
they had shown each other after the recent battle must have
worn off on him, for Lancelot realized he was settling all too
comfortably in a way he hadn't in Arthur's quarters in a long
time.

He cleared his throat, and wet his dry lips. "Unless of course
you'd rather just skip to the 'punishment' I assume your Optio
wishes you to give me." He made a disgusted noise, and rubbed
at his eye without paying attention -

"Ow. Fuck," he cursed softly, and jerked his hand away from
the blackened bruise.
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golden_trillium

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Author: LadyCastus
Date: Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:38 pm
Mona


It slowly dawned on her that Merlin was not reacting to her
advances the way she'd planned and that perplexed Mona. Surely
now that Guinevere was questionable and Neeria was gone,
surely Merlin would finally realize Mona's worth. But the woad
leader's face held surprise and ... what was that?...
repulsion? No. It couldn't be so. Mona had been so intent on
getting into Merlin's 'bed', she had failed to even notice
Juna, now just to Merlin's right, who had been sleeping next
to him. Mona's eyes widened at the healer whose hair was
mussed and eyes still full of sleepiness.

Merlin
 
“Our union?”


Mona looked back at Merlin and bore a stare into his dark
eyes.

Juna was rustling under the furs, perhaps adjusting her
clothing, when she glared at Mona.

Juna
 
“Bitch,”


Mona, suddenly incensed, jumped to her feet, teeth bared.

"Fuck you, crone!!!" she screamed, angered that the woman had
shared intimate space with her Merlin.

"You whore!!" the woad raged.

Merlin
 
“The Gods have clearly cursed your mind, Mona- we have
no such union, nor will we. You should lie down and get
some more rest while there is yet time.”


"Time?" Mona cackled.

"Time? There IS no more time! I've waited long enough, damn
you! I got rid of Neeria by making you all think she betrayed
you, I set Guinevere up to kill those men and now, now when
I'm finally ready, you have a whore in your bed and talk to me
of time! There IS no more time!"

Mona reached inside her boot and pulled out a blade. In one
fluid motion, she swung the blade in an upward arc, trying to
slice Merlin straight up the middle. She missed him by less
than an inch.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:36 pm

Derfel


Derfel had slept like the dead – no doubt largely in thanks to
the barrel of ale consumed at the tavern last night. He did
not even so much as stir when Linnesse had wiggled her way out
of his embrace beneath the blankets on their bed. What did
finally wake the knight was his stomach; the grumpy thing was
not content to stay silent and still and allow Derfel a little
more slumber.

He awoke with a groan and grabbed at his churning belly before
realizing his head throbbed with equal intensity.

“Oh goddssss….ahhrrggg….” Derfel croaked and rolled over on
his side; his free hand searching for the comfort of
Linnesse’s familiar form. No such luck….empty bed. He cracked
open an eye and immediately squinted against the blinding
light streaming in through the window. Bright to him at least,
but no doubt it was actually the typical dull shades of grey
that normally pre-empted every new day in ‘sunny’ Britain.

Derfel practically fell out of bed, yet somehow managed to
land on his feet. The lack of heat in the tiny room instantly
stabbed at his naked form. He cursed it while attempting to
get his bearings in the new space. Just where did he set up
that damn chest of drawers yesterday? Oh yes…over there by the
window. And somehow Derfel managed to tug on a pair of tan
deerskin trousers without emptying the contents of his stomach
– thank the gods. He took a deep breath and swallowed roughly
while raking a hand through his touseled flaxen hair. What a
mess he must be….unshaven, obviously suffering the ill effects
of too much drink the night before and only meagerly dressed –
breeches only partially laced…..

…..and he had the fool’s luck to open the door and take a step
out into the main room only to come face to face
with….Linnette. Gods help me.

Derfel’s eyes widened and he suddenly felt the room spinning
beneath his feet. Linnesse was present sitting on the couch
and the brazier had a healthy and warm fire already a-goin’.
But all that went unnoticed by the startled young knight. He
had completely – in his hung over state – forgotten about
their ‘roommate’.

“I uh…..beg yer pardon….” Derfel stammered with a sheepish
grin. His stomach made a rather loud girgling sound which only
added to his embarrassment. “Mornin’,” He added rather quietly
and then slowly stepped backwards until his backside collided
with the door to his and Linnesse’s room. Derfel shyly folded
his arms over the middle of his bare chest and stared down at
his toes. He’d look even more the fool should he retreat
now….but shite, his stomach was truly giving him fits. Where
was a chamber pot when he needed one?
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Kay
Date: Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:38 am
Guinevere


Mona
 
"Time? Time? There IS no more time! I've waited long
enough, damn you! I got rid of Neeria by making you all
think she betrayed you, I set Guinevere up to kill those
men and now, now when I'm finally ready, you have a
whore in your bed and talk to me of time! There IS no
more time!"


The princess, who had settled for the night in a quiet spot
apart from the others, was suddenly wide awake and jumping to
her feet at the sound of raised voices.

She saw Mona, standing over her father, reaching into her boot
for a knife. Instinct took over as the blood pounded through
Guinevere's veins and she drew her own blade, racing across
the encampment to her father's aid.
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golden_trillium

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Author: golden_trillium
Date: Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:10 am
Linnette, Linnesse, and Tristan


With her back to Linnesse and the rest of the room, Linnette
swung her cloak around her shoulders and then tucked the slim
book Drake had lent her under her arm. She turned, stepping
through the open curtain out of "her" area and opened her
mouth to bid farewell to Linnesse for the time being...but she
was only halfway into her turn around when she stumbled
suddenly against another, larger figure that had just appeared
in the doorway to Linnesse and Derfel's room.

Derfel
 
“I, uh…..beg yer pardon…mornin’.”


"Morning," Linnette answered automatically, but as she
staggered back a step from their inauspicious near-collision,
blood suddenly rushed to her cheeks as she realized that
Derfel was...naked. Well, not technically naked, but
bare-chested, and his pants weren't even laced up! And her
automatic drop of her eyes had only let her see very clearly
the abdominal musculature pointing its way towards what was
only just hidden by his pants, and even the color of the hair
down there...oh, by all the saints! Linnette gulped and
squeezed her eyes shut, turning her head to the side, her
whole face and neck and chest, too, feeling as though they had
been tossed in a furnace. After a second, she opened her eyes,
gaze fixed firmly on the wall, and took a breath to say
something more...but there was nothing she could say. Nothing
that would anyone feel any better, nothing that would not
simply prolong the mortification...so after another endless
second of hesitation, she swallowed hard, gave Linnesse a
tight nod of farewell and hurried past her sister out of the
room, eyes fixed now on the floor, twitching her cloak out of
the way so that not even a fold of it would come anywhere near
Derfel as she passed.

"Um...it's all right..." Linnesse called after her sister,
rising from the couch belatedly as the door clicked shut
behind Linnette. The situation had struck her as funny at
first, and she had almost laughed...but now she realized that
Linnette hadn't seen it that way at all- and nor had Derfel,
probably. Anxiously, Linnesse looked one way and then the
other, towards Derfel and then back to the door again- should
she go after her sister and reassure her, or what? Linnesse
was on the point of doing just that, had even taken a step
towards the door, when a sickly gurgle from Derfel's stomach,
audible even across the room, stopped her in her tracks.

"You all right, love?" After one assessing glance, Linnesse
didn't even wait for an answer to that question; she
immediately crossed over to Linnette's area and retrieved the
chamberpot from under her bed- it was closer, and, thank
goodness, it was empty- and shoved it at Derfel, hoping to get
it in place before he threw up, as he looked rather likely to
do.



Out in the corridor, Linnette strode determinedly on her way
out of the knights’ quarters, eyes fixed on the floor, the
burning shame on her cheeks scarcely decreased even most of
the way to the outside doors. Curse it! How could she live
like this?? She would never have wandered out into the common
area more-than-half-undressed- she would have gotten decent
before opening her curtain, but Derfel didn’t seem to be able
to show that same courtesy! For that matter, the theoretical
image of her dressing and Derfel out in the common room, with
only a single canvas cloth between them, made her cringe
mentally almost as much as the actual event of this morning
had. Add to that the remembrance of how she had been reluctant
to go into her own quarters last night because she had seen
the door just closing and feared interrupting anything, and it
was enough to throw Linnette into near despair. How could she
live there when she was squirming inside all the time, always
afraid of seeing or hearing something she shouldn’t, or being
seen or heard? Even a peasant widow in her hovel would have a
door!

Maybe she could ask for the inner room. That would probably
help, but almost as soon as Linnette acknowledged that, she
rejected the idea. It wasn’t fair to Linnesse and Derfel to
strip them of their privacy, and besides, she was one person
while they were two, and it wasn’t right to ask them to take
the smaller space. The current arrangement seemed to be in all
ways the right one- and yet Linnette couldn’t imagine having
to live like that for months, even longer.

Some other roommate? Maybe she could find one, but Linnette
hated to impose on anyone else almost as much as she hated the
current arrangement, especially as she would soon have a baby
to care for. Still, if things became too unbearable, it was a
possibility, which Linnette filed away in her mind.

Maybe she should return to the Villa Rosarum. In some ways,
that might be the best solution of all. She would be able to
supervise the workings of the villa personally, as she
probably should have been doing a long time ago, and her child
could grow up in the same idyllic place she had, not in a fort
surrounded by foul-mouthed soldiers and loose women. There was
nothing to keep her here. Gedeon, her real reason for
returning, was gone, and they could easily find another clerk
for the tavern accounts, another serving girl too if needed.
Probably no one would even miss her. She should give tell
Vanora of her intentions today, and then leave as soon as the
world thawed, while she was still early enough in pregnancy
that travel was a realistic option. Go home, raise her child
in peace, and forget about all the sad memories here.

And yet…no. There were still things to keep her here, if she
were honest about it. Linnesse, for starters. Besides Gedeon,
that had been the other reason Linnette had returned to the
fort- she wasn’t willing to leave her fragile sister alone in
such a place, even if she was with Derfel. Actually, at the
time, especially not with Derfel. Even now, when Linnette had
been forced to admit that Derfel didn’t seem to have any
underhanded motives for his relationship with Linnesse, and
had, in fact, been very good for her, Linnette was still loath
to leave her sister without her company in the fort. Linnesse
needed protecting- she had always been that way, and Linnette
had always seen to it personally, ever since she had been able
to walk and talk interpose her smaller, sturdier self between
Linnesse and some village bully-boy who was calling her names
and making her cry. There was no reason to stop protecting her
now- in fact, in a fort, there was maybe even more reason.
Even Darya had once proved a danger to her- Linnette couldn’t
let up her vigilance!

Dagonet, too. His heart had been broken too many times, and
Linnette didn’t have the heart to break it again, taking his
only grandchild out of his reach. She wanted him to be able to
see the child, dandle him- perhaps it would be a him- on his
knee and watch him grow up just like he hadn’t been able to
with Gedeon for long, or with the child Saoirse had bore him
at all. It wasn’t quite a child of his own- but it was maybe
the next best thing, and who was Linnette to take that
opportunity away from him? It would be cruel, that was what it
would be!

There were other people she would miss, too. A few faces
flashed before her eyes- Vanora and her children, Ione, and
Saoirse; Amadeus, who she had so recently re-met; and even
Lancelot and his teasing ways, despite the fact that he and
Gedeon hadn’t gotten along. And Drake. Linnette frowned at
that. Drake was just too confusing- considering last night,
she couldn’t think about him now. But he was on the list of
people she would miss. She could at least acknowledge that.

Once outside the knights’ quarters, Linnette turned her steps
in the direction of the chapel first- she would check Gedeon’s
candle and say a quick prayer. Happily, she found the candle
burning brightly, and the priest was in, too; he knelt down
and prayed with her, and Linnette found his presence and his
words about heaven comforting. She was feeling better as she
crossed the courtyard again, heading for the tavern- but the
thought of her living arrangements was still in her mind. She
might yet have to do something about that- but what? What
would Gedeon have wanted her to do? She didn’t know.

Just inside the tavern door, she saw Tristan, occupying the
table closest to the entrance with his back to the wall. His
hawk was with him, perched on the table, and he was feeding
her small, carefully chopped pieces of meat; her wing was
bandaged and extended stiffly from her body. On the other side
of Tristan, untouched by the hawk but with several slices cut
out of it, was a partly-eaten apple. Linnette paused in her
step, peering at the hawk with concern and interest. She had
known that Tristan had such an unusual animal companion- but
she hadn’t ever seen it this close before.

The scout at first seemed to ignore her, feeding a couple more
scraps of meat one at a time into the hawk’s open mouth- but
then he glanced over at her, his eyes bright through the
partly-obscuring curtain of hair.

“She’ll be all right,” he grunted, his voice almost like it
issued from the stone of the wall itself- but Linnette found
herself smiling a little back in response. Tristan had been
kind to her yesterday morning, she now remembered- he had
brought her an apple while she was up on the wall crying her
eyes out and reminded her to eat. She hadn’t had a bite of
that apple, as she remembered- but she appreciated the thought
anyway, and all the more coming from Tristan, who usually
seemed pretty much indifferent to everything and everybody who
wasn’t either an animal, an enemy, or one of a select few
brothers-in-arms.

“Good,” Linnette answered, her smile shading into the shy just
a little bit- she took a few steps away, then turned back,
suddenly, on her heel.

“Have you had breakfast? Besides that, I mean,” she pointed to
the apple in explanation. Tristan nodded solemnly, but
Linnette fancied she saw a hint of a smile around his mouth-
though it could easily have been her imagination.

“Yeah- thanks.” The hawk squawked at him, and he turned back
towards it with a piece of meat and a murmured affectionate
word- and Linnette continued through the bar and into the
kitchen to put down her cloak and book.

"Morning, Vanora," she greeted the redheaded woman as she
passed.
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golden_trillium

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Author: LadyCastus
Date: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:08 am
Malcus Barbattus


Malcus Barbattus laced his leather trousers and pulled on his
boots over his stockings and leggings. He'd layered his
clothing properly and dressed appropriately for the cold and
shit that would be in the stables. He attached his short blade
to his right hip and shoved another dagger in each boot.
Afterall, he was still an officer in the Roman military. The
captain was not thrilled with his punishment assignment, but
he realized it could have been a lot worse. He was lucky to
have Arthur as his commander.

Malcus flung a cloak around him and headed out the door. It
was not his military cloak, but one he wore while off duty. It
would probably get messed up in the stables and he'd have to
get Ione to make him another. Of course that would be when he
could afford it. Not receiving pay for two weeks would be the
harshest part of the punishment. It was a good thing that
Malcus was not married and didn't have children. He was also a
cheap bastard and was quite in the habit of saving his wages.
He'd saved up quite a bit of money so the garnishment
shouldn't affect his eating and drinking too much. He'd just
be careful.

The captain made his way through the barracks and outside into
the new morning. The air was cold and crisp. The guards on
duty saluted to their captain and he nodded in return. He'd go
retrieve Karl and Titrus and brief them about the mission.
They should already be in the squad room. Malcus rounded the
corner and headed in that direction.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Unicorn
Date: Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:50 am
Dagonet


His effort of not disturbing Saoirse was fruitless... He was
too big for her not to feel the slightess movement of it,
laying on top of his chest. Saoirse woke up immidiately and
turned around to look at him, her eyes still covered with mist
of sleepness and tiredness.

Saoirse
 
"Yer awake?"


Dagonet smiled slightly as her last word was spoken trought
the big yawn of hers. He watched her as she moved on the bed
and tried to get rid of sleep completely. The tall knight
allowed himself another longer strech and brought both of his
hands to his face, rubbing it slowly,for he felt tired and
still sleepy, but he knew he could not get any more rest now.

Saoirse
 
"D'ye not sleep, love?"


Injured knight's hands went down and he stared into blue eyes
of his lover while her hand touched his face and she asked her
question. He only shook his head and his small smile
dropped... He had so many nightmares this night. So many
images running in his mind, painful pictures and situations.
He had not slept indeed during this night. He swallowed
roughly, not knowing what else could he say.

Sarmatian was aware that Saoirse could not stay with him the
whole day and watch over him, and that he would be facing long
hours without company... only with his thoughts. And it was a
sad thing to think about.

"How does it feel?" he aksed her pointing to her leg, where
her wound was, with worried and troubled look upon his face.
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