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October 2008
Topic Started: May 1 2010, 05:17 PM (3,209 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Kay
Date: Mon Oct 20, 2008 12:40 pm
Guinevere


Guinevere was aware of people talking to her, but the words
did not seem to register. Her father urged her to check on the
wounded, and one of the Woads, a girl named Rosita, was asking
after her wellbeing.

The Woad princess shook her head and said nothing. With a
slight shrug of her shoulders, she turned and walked away
through the trees, seeking solitude and wishing that everyone
would let her be.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Mon Oct 20, 2008 12:48 pm
Neeria


Neeria craned to see past the people that stood at the
entrance of her cell but she couldn't see anything. She
couldn't see Tristan, but the dark knight had clearly said
"scout".

Arthur moved closer to her, blocking her view. Neeria smelled
the wax from his armor. She'd feared having to talk him and
for that reason had not spoken to him directly. She hadn't
even made eye contact with him in the dim light of the cell
corridor. Neeria wasn't afraid of him but afraid of herself
and her actions while in his company. When Arthur was close to
her, she could not hate him. He was flesh and bones, yes, but
he radiated something far more than that. There was something
inside of him that oozed out of his pores. It made Neeria
uneasy. She feared she would give this man everything he asked
of her. But she was a woad - a loyal woad - closer to
Guinevere and Merlin as anyone could be. The small woman
cursed to herself as ice continued to slide down her spine.
Finally, she looked up at the commander as he stood even close
to her with his arms folded across his chest. She wanted to
reach out and touch him - to see if he was real.

Arthur
 
“Tristan has made quite an impression on you in the
short time you have been among us….Neeria,”


Neeria looked at the floor, then back at Arthur. Her knees
were wobbling just a little. She cleared her throat.

"He was kind to me when you brought me here. He brought me a
blanket and made sure they gave me food and took me to the
sick place where we got help for our wounds. He also came last
night when I called for him because I was frightened." She
coughed again and held her injured side. "He reminds me of..."
she said "...of my fallen husband" just above a whisper that
she hoped only Arthur could hear.

Neeria sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of the filthy
tunic she wore. The nervous woad shifted her weight from one
foot to the other under Arthur's watchful eyes. Then she
sneezed and scratched her head. Bits of something filtered
from her hair to the cell floor and scurried away.

Arthur
 
“I have no intention of holding you captive, child,”


Neeria's dark eyes widened and she drew a deep breath.

Arthur
 
“Do you recall our agreement from the day before? It
still stands. I wish to know where I may locate Merlin
and I will set you free,”


Neeria snorted. "What?" she asked increduously. "I already
took your men to Merlin! I kept my promise!" she shrieked.
"Now you ask me to betray him again?" The small woman's anger
flared up suddenly. "Why?" she screamed. "And when I tell you
where he is once more and you set me free, where will I go,
Roman? Eh? Where will I go? For Merlin will surely behead me!
I am already a traitor in his eyes!"

Neeria gasped for air. She refused to break down in front of
these....these...people. But the pain and despair she felt was
too much. She'd lost too much in the past few days. The filth
and stench, the hunger and fatigue had beaten her down and she
was unable to control herself any longer. She began to wail
from the agony, from the pit of her stomach, over her
situation, falling against Arthur's broad chest.

"Where will I go?" she cried, looking up and finally locking
onto his emerald green eyes.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Starbelle
Date: Mon Oct 20, 2008 12:53 pm
Tatiana and Jols


Jols, after hearing his name being spoken looked around to see
who it was that knew him. When he saw that it was Tatiana, he
grinned over at seeing the young stable-hand talking with
Darya.

"I guess that we now have a new title to call you by, Darya."
He said with a mischievious twinkle dancing in his dark brown
eyes as a wide grin appeared across the squire's face in
response to what the dark-haired just called herself.

"Darya..that's quite a lovely name." Tatiana replied with a
friendly smile in her new friend's direction after the
dark-haired told her her name.

Darya
 
“You are rather new to Badon, aren’t you?”, , “Do you
like the work as stable-hand?”


"Yes, I suppose that you could say that, if you haven't seen
me before. I'm originally from the village that's just on the
outskirts of Badon."

"Yes, I find it very exciting work, being with the animals and
all, although if it hadn't been for my Father's kind
intervention on my behalf with my Mother, I really wouldn't be
here at all." Tatiana replied truthfully.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:46 pm
Linnette


Mari
 
"I don't know...I had no brothers or sisters...you look
like a Lady you know... a proper Lady like in the
stories. Proper Ladies who are strong and can shoot an
arrow and ride a horse and things, who go on
adventures."


"Really?" Linnette laughed at that, a good-natured laugh as
she eyed Mari with surprise. "Thank you- that's quite a
compliment." She laughed again, her cheeks warming a little,
but the girl was so...so earnest, so awed, it was hard not to
be both amused and charmed by her, more than embarrassed at
her extravagant words. And even though Mari's definition of
"proper Lady" was unusual- few people thought of Ladies as
arrow-shooting, adventuring creatures- it hit nearer the truth
of some of Linnette's life than Mari could possibly really
know. Linnette ducked her head and chuckled again as she held
the tavern door open for Mari, thinking with sudden nostalgic
affection how Gedeon would have reacted to hearing Mari's
words. Agreed with all of them, probably, but with some sort
of comfortable joke and a kiss. She missed him terribly.

"Perhaps sometime I can show you how to shoot- unless your
father already taught you?" she asked as they went inside,
knowing that she was confirming by her words at least some of
what Mari said, and hoping that it was not bragging to do so-
but Mari was so eager, she might be a lot of fun to teach. If
she didn't know already. For all Linnette knew, Kolya might
have raised her on weapons and horses. Sarmatian women were
said to ride and fight like men, at least at need.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:41 pm
Eala


Luckily his words had been too quick and too sudden for Eala
to understand what he meant. She cocked her head to the side,
like a confused hound, looking up at it's master waiting to be
told what to do. She knew that there was a small hut back in
the village that belonged to her and Donnchadh but the
thoughts of going back there were almost unbearable to the
child. Her big, black eyes peered upwards, even more intense
as she thought of going back there. Her small fists balled up
on her thighs and she almost reached out to take Ash's hand to
comfort herself. Whilst sitting tehre with only him to watch
her , Eala felt she might be herself a little more, that she
might be a little bit more of a ten-year-old than a
90-year-old. Donnchadh had seen this side of her of course,
but only back in the safety of their little hut.

Now, bereft of her brother, bereft of those things that
brought her some comfort like her little throwing knives and
the belt buckle of her lost leathers, Eala felt truly,
utterly, miserably alone. Save for Ash...

Ash
 
"I...will think...about it... Let's go, okay?"


That was enough for her for now.

Eala gave Ash a small smile of thanks and took his hand all
too willingly. It was almost sad how quickly she had come to
cling to him. It had not been intentional - she had not been
looking to have someone the way she had had Donnchadh, but Ash
ahd seemed to just be there when she needed him most. He
seemed to be the one who was most aware of her being right
there.

The blonde let go his hand as they moved back towards the
others, her black eyes narrowing at the smell of horse. She
looked side to side, warily, but saw then that it was just
Smith with his silly horse.

The girl gave a snort of disdain, recalling all too well how
it had been to be slung over the neck of one of those huge
beasts and then tossed without thought or care into a dungeon.

Her black eyes peered across the others towards Smith and she
glanced up at Ash then, quirking an eyebrow at him in silent
questionning of what he thought of the man and his horse.
Donnchadh had been rather impressed with the idea but had
never been comfortable, given his bulk, to be sat upon a
horse. There were tears still drying on her jaw as she looked
up at Ash, a haunting darkness still about her eyes which
darted to the side suddenly, to where Mona had been lain, only
to see an empty patch of bloodied mud. With a sniff of
confidence in Merlin, now that the corpse was no longer to be
seen, Eala nodded her head in satisfaction at the justice and
looked back up at Ash, wondering if he would be proud of the
fact that she was no longer scared... or would he realise that
it was the body was no longer there?









Saoirse

Dagonet
 
"I don't smell anything wrong... Are you saying I
stink?"


So earnest! So offended!

Saoirse gave a wry smile and reached over to Dagonet's cheek,
touching the bristles of beard growth that had set in over the
past few days and gave a small breath of laughter. Her blue
eyes were tired as they narrowed. She leaned forward and
kissed his chin, dipping her nose to the hollow of his neck
where she breathed in the warm scent of him deeply, as if to
prove that she was not offended by the smell.

Withdrawing, the red head looked at her lover and shrugged,
sliding her hand from his face to lay on his shoulder a moment
before sitting back and setting about getting the food into
him.

"If ye can't smell nothin' wrong wi' how yer clothes stink of
horse and blood then there's somethin' wrong wi' yer nostrils,
Dagonet." she chided, gesturing to the bloodied waist of his
trousers were teh wound in his side had seeped blood down his
strong stomach to the band of his breeches. She cocked an
eyebrow and took one of the small honey-cakes for herself,
giving Dagonet the bundle with the rest of the food as she sat
back, knee pressed against the side of the bed and watched him
carefully.

Just as she lifted her eyes from Dagonet, a figure ghosted
past with head bowed. Alina - another of the healers at the
infirmary. Saoirse suddenly felt guilty for having neglected
her 'training' so blithely. Had she not promised herself that
she would find a trade, find a talent that was nothing to do
with stabbing and riding and shouting?

Pursing her lips, the red head look at the honey-cake and
chewed about the edges.

"Dagonet... ? Would ye think I'd make a good healer? Or
herbalist... or somethin' like tha'. I was readin' the books
Lavinia has inside the back there an'... It's somethin' I
think I could do." she admitted with a faint blush to her
cheeks, to admit to doing something so unmilitant as healing.









Smith

Kayley
 
"Oh, psh, Your mother will worry regardless. If she knew
you were riding this beast around - in your
condition..."


Smith would not admit to wanting or ever needing physical
contact, but his choice to live such a hermitted life was
brightened when someone was willing to lay a hand on someone
so reclusive. Of course, with Kayley it didn't really count
because she lived with him. She saw him in a different light
than the others did - and it was only normal to presume that
she knew him better than the others. When her hand left his
collar bone, the male pursed his lips and smirked, a
strong,vibrant sparkling of his dark eyes, as he tipped his
chin to his chest and lifted his free hand to pull his collar
back up to ward off the cold. The movement pained but he
simply grit his teeth and shifted his feet, giving a bark of
amusement at Kayley's words.

"My condition..." he repeated with a roll of his heavenly dark
eyes, looking over his shoulder at Scáth's fierce, black eyes.
Kayley's pale hand shot out to touch the beast's coat and
Smith smiled, a genuinely affectionate smile to see someone
treat the horse as a horse and not as a bizarre accroutment.

And then to make matters worse, his statement to Rosita seemed
to fall on deaf ears as she skirted off without so much as
acknowledging that he had spoken to her at all. Smith's mouth
gaped open and the corners of his eyes crinkled in startled
amusement. And there he thought he had her in the palm of his
hand with the way she simpered at him, blushing prettily and
... The male woad gave a rough laugh and shook his head
bemusedly, relaxing back, his shoulder pressed against Scáth's
flank as he turned his sparkling smile back to Kayley.

Kayley
 
"I guess you're on your own, Shall we go?"


When he noted her change in mood, Smith turned to look at what
caused it.

Mona's body being removed.

He winced slightly and swallowed back the bile that rose so
prominently in his throat. Folding one arm over his chest,
propping his elbow against that arm, the male woad knuckled
against his chin, discreetly checking the flexibility of his
shoulders with the injury of his collarbone.

"In a moment... tell me what I have missed first. Merlin told
me of Eala, and Neeria. What of Mona? And what possesses
Guinevere to such sulky silences? And why is Micah glaring at
me so fierce?" Smith tossed the last in in a slightly higher
pitch than the rest, obviously poking fun at the other man's
obvious desire for Kayley.









Mari

Linnette
 
"Really? Thank you- that's quite a compliment."


That she cheered Linnette even in this little way was by any
stretch of the imagination deliberate. Mari spoke her mind
with such naive honesty that she inadverntly caused great joy
in some people and abject misery in others. She was pleased
that her comments were considered such a compliment to
Linnette, and she reaffirmed her opinion by giving a brisk and
sincere nod of her head, her face ever so grave and serious
when Linnette turned to her, in response to the rhetoric of
'really?'.

Of course the image of a 'real lady' to Mari was gleaned from
teh most unlikely of sources. From bawdy tales told by men in
taverns to a pretty little blonde child that had been left
behind whilst her father went off with a whore, tellings of
strong women made to the girl by a whore who took pity on the
poor child's situation as her father got himself miserably
drunk right in front of her. People had always favoured
telling Mari stories of strong women, capable women - instead
of milk-sop maids who cried at the drop of a stitch.

Linnette
 
"Perhaps sometime I can show you how to shoot- unless
your father already taught you?"


Mari stumbled over her own foot in surprise at Linnette's
offer. Her eyes were wide as she reached out a hand casually
to stop herselffalling through the door that Linnette held
open. Her eyes were the size of saucers and she gave an
incredulous hiccup of a laugh before realising Linnette was
serious.

"Really? You ... can use a ... and you'll?" she murmured,
turning once inside the tavern to look at Linnette, then
blindly hunkered down, still staring up at the hazel-eyed
woman, to gather the papers that she had sent sprawling when
she stumbled. "No - no he hasn't taught me anything like that
at all, my Lady. He's ... well, he's.." Mari's voice trailed
off, a light frown piercing the smooth pale skin of her
forehead as she puffed out a breath. She rose to her feet once
more, the muddied bundle of papersheld to her chest like a
warming cushion.

"Well, he's not really taught me anything, Lady Linnette. I
don't have any real talents of skills. I can barely sew and
cook miserably." she laughed, a little high-pitched to be
normal, genuine amusement, but tinged with embarrassment. She
looked up sheepishly at Linnette then, smiling despite the
evidence of such a miserable upbringing coming to light.

"Except drawing of course. My mother could draw, father told
me. So I kept trying until I could too." she admitted shyly,
shrugging her shoulder high and then turned to look around the
tavern, wondering if said father would be about. Thankfully,
he wasn't.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:48 pm

Arthur


At last Arthur appeared to have Neeria’s attention, albeit she
seemed to be having some difficulty in directly holding his
gaze. The floor seemed to be of particular interest.

Neeria
 
"He was kind to me when you brought me here. He brought
me a blanket and made sure they gave me food and took me
to the sick place where we got help for our wounds. He
also came last night when I called for him because I was
frightened. He reminds me of.....of my fallen husband."


Arthur’s brows rose slowly towards his hairline as he listened
to Neeria’s explanation; green eyes watched every nuance in
her expression judging her words to be her truths. He knew
Tristan to be a good man, but rare was the occasion that the
scout reached out to those not of his own kind or fellow
knights. Fallen husband? Neeria was perhaps older than Arthur
had judged by her childlike appearance. Then again…she had
been fierce in her attempt to slit his throat the other day.
And as if to remind him of a fire that did indeed burn in her
belly, the delicate and frightened girl began to show her
warrior side again…..

Neeria
 
"What? I already took your men to Merlin! I kept my
promise! Now you ask me to betray him again? Why? And
when I tell you where he is once more and you set me
free, where will I go, Roman? Eh? Where will I go? For
Merlin will surely behead me! I am already a traitor in
his eyes!"


Arthur’s green eyes narrowed at Neeria as she shrieked her
responses at him; the amber flakes glinting particularly
bright in the torchlight while he listened with acute
interest. The corner of his mouth twitched in mild annoyance,
but his expression remained firm and emotionless in the face
of a ‘child throwing a tantrum’ over what Arthur deemed a
simple request. Why would Merlin see her as a traitor over
what was a failed meeting for Arthur’s men? And judging from
what Malcus and Amadeus had reported, Neeria had not been of
much help in leading them to Merlin at all. The Woad leader
had found them.

But before the Commander could begin his retort, the girl
literally fell against Arthur’s chest and he had no choice but
to catch her lest she fall to the floor in a heap of tears and
filth. The oversized clothing she wore felt just as dirty as
it had appeared when Arthur’s fingers came into contact with
the rough material. He attempted to steady Neeria with a firm
hand at her back and released a stern breath through his nose.
This was hardly what Arthur had had in mind…not that he was
put off by the sour scent of an unwashed girl….but her
condition did harvest his sympathy.

Neeria
 
"Where will I go?"


Arthur’s lips formed a tight thin line as he looked down into
her tear-filled dark eyes. He had planned to allow Neeria to
return to her people…or rather expected her to want to
immediately upon her release. Beyond that, Arthur could only
offer her shelter here with meager dwellings available in the
wake of the fire damage and surely that was not what she’d
want. And with the food shortage still unresolved, the
Commander was hesitant to take in further mouths to feed this
winter.

“I can only offer to escort you back to your people today or
allow you to remain here for the time being,” Arthur made his
offer as he gently attempted to return Neeria to stand on her
own two feet. He had no want to cradle her body against his
any longer…..lest Arthur being ‘Arthur’ would begin to pity
the very same ‘warrior’ that had attempted to take his life
only days ago. And he could feel Lancelot’s – and most likely
Neeve’s as well – protectiveness flaring up from behind. Oh
Arthur was in no danger from this one....but he knew how the
Dark Knight would view this. And the Commander still wished
for information from the girl and would have no chance at
getting it if one of his ‘protectors’ swiftly moved in with a
dagger. Inwardly, Arthur rolled his eyes at the thought.

“You have no need to fear me, Neeria,” Arthur murmured down
into Neeria’s frightened expression – simply assuming that she
was. And the fact that Neeve was present here led Arthur to
also deduce that Neeria had a need for the Briton’s skills as
a healer. No injury was evident to his eyes…..but….

“I intend to make peace with Merlin today. I ask that you tell
me where it is that I may find him and you may either
accompany me, or remain here until you are recovered,” Arthur
stated with clarity as he held the girl more at an arm’s
length than allowing her to remain attached to his
breastplate.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:52 pm
Brendyn


He had seen Tatiana enter the stable with a cheery greeting
earlier, and before he had had a chance to reply, she had
walked inside the stables to work. Then the fight had broken
out between Malcus and Mirtha, blood and the sounds of
punching and cracking could be heard...plus the shouts. Well,
seeing that Malcus had told Titrus that he was okay, to ask
him again might not be a good thing.

He did look a mess though.

Then Tatiana had returned to the group with a cheery greeting
as though nothing had gone on. Most women would have been
screaming and panicking, but the fight had not even seemed to
phase her. Tatiana had come to stand next to he, Jols and
Malcus and a few others. He nodded a greeting to her, but
instead she began to talk to Darya. The situation did not make
him feel uncomfortable, so he studied her for a second, then
turned back to his wounded Captain and bowed slightly, then
got ready to return to Tyranus...










Adian

Having placed the last shingle in place and secured it, Adian
stood up and the other worker with him to admire the fine
work. He had not laid roof tiles in a while, but the man he
had been working with had shown him a good technique which
worked well.

Nodding to the man, Adian said, "Well, a nice morning's work
so far, I think I'll be heading off to the infirmary to fix
some minor fire damage there."

The man picked up his box of tools and headed toward the
ladder making ready to climb down, "Aye, young lad, shouldn't
take many to fix that. Me and the others will head to check
the storages to see if they need repairing."

With a wave, the man ascended the ladder and met his fellow
workers on the ground to head of to another job. Adian waved
from the roof, and then ascended the ladder himself with his
toolbox in one hand. In his mind, he planned out what he'd do
for Tatiana later tonight. Would it be another moonlit bath?
or just cozying in front of a roaring fire?

As soon as his boot hit the ground, Adian began to walk toward
the infirmary and his next job...
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:54 pm

Linnesse


Drake
 
"No. Thank you. Actually...do you know who Catherine is?
The girls said she gave them these dresses."


"What?" For a moment, Linnesse was merely stunned. She had
expected resistance to her obvious disapproval, anger, even,
or, far less likely, for him to look guilty and slink off, but
instead he had brushed right past it and asked a totally
unrelated question. Catherine? Dresses? What on earth did that
have to do with anything?

"Er...Catherine? No, no, I don't." Linnesse's forehead
wrinkled up in pretty, genteel puzzlement and she shook her
head, feeling stymied by his change of subject. How was she to
introduce the topic of what right on earth Drake had to be
hanging around the girls, or around Linnesse's sister, now?
She had been nerving herself up for God-knew-what disastrous
confrontation, and now things had been taken completely off
the path that she had been prepared for, leaving her feeling
quite lost.

"I don't..." Linnesse paused as a sudden thought came to her.

"Are you sure her name wasn't Ione? There's a seamstress in
the fort named Ione, and she brought me a dress last night
that she said a customer hadn't wanted. It was a bit...odd."
Linnesse stole an automatic glance back at the door of Ione's
room, in time to see Sister Margaret enter again, then turned
back to Drake and the girls, her confusion shading into
impatience. Why was she letting herself be talked off the
track into some tale about dresses? What did that have to do
with anything?







Merlin

With the burial party rapidly getting ready to go, and the
main group nearly packed and ready too, Merlin could once
again feel that things were going well. The meager campfires
of last night had been put out, Mona's body had been removed
to under the bushes, as he had ordered, and behind him, Smith
and Kayley were conversing, Kayley no doubt catching Smith up
on the rest of what had happened. Guinevere was still...well,
indecisive, difficult, even, but Merlin decided he would talk
to her later. He wanted to check on Ash first, and then once
he was assured that the wounded man was all right, they would
be on their way. The prospect of the village had hardly ever
seemed more welcoming.

Ash wasn't anywhere near the litter that had carried him last
night, a realization that at first concerned the Woad leader,
but happily, he spotted the man a moment later, not too far
away, but on the other side of a tree, with little Eala once
more at his side. A small smile touched Merlin's lips- it was
good to see someone bonding with the now-familyless girl. Not
that she didn't have her extended family, her people, but she
was still young enough that she needed a specific protector, a
parental figure, and Donnchadh had filled that role very well.
Now that he was, may the Gods rest him, dead, it seemed Ash
was well on his way to stepping into the vacated role.

"Are you well this morning, Ash?" Merlin greeted the wounded
man heartily, as he wended his way between a couple of
warriors rolling bedrolls to reach him.








Linnette

Mari
 
"Really? You...can use a...and you'll? No- no he hasn't
taught me anything like that at all, my Lady.
He's...well, he's...well, he's not really taught me
anything, Lady Linnette. I don't have any real talents
or skills. I can barely sew and cook miserably. Except
drawing, of course. My mother could draw, Father told
me. So I kept trying until I could too."


"Well- drawing is a skill I definitely lack, so I'm grateful
for anything you can do," Linnette remarked, bending down and
retrieving from the floor another stray scrap of paper that
Mari had missed- it had skittered right under the nearest
table. She wondered if she should offer to take the papers
from Mari- the girl seemed to have such a trouble holding onto
them- but decided that given her protectiveness of them, Mari
might prefer to hold on to them herself.

"I can show you lots of those things, though, if you want."
Linnette shrugged agreeably as she straightened up and held
the paper out to Mari, to add back in with the rest of her
motley collection. Her father hadn't taught her anything, she
had said...and inferring from her words, it seemed like Mari
remembered little of her mother. Sad, that...Linnette's head
tilted slightly to one side as she regarded Mari shrewdly, and
decided to voice something of what she had thought about Kolya
earlier in the conversation- though in as polite a way as was
possible.

"Mari...don't take this the wrong way, but...you have my
sympathies on your father. He doesn't seem like an easy man."
Linnette shrugged again, apologetically now, and turned to
continue across the tavern floor, flashing Vanora a grin as
they passed the counter.

"Vanora- I found someone who can draw!" Once again sparked
with the desire to get this portrait-drawing started as soon
as possible- almost as if the image of Gedeon might fade from
her mind even today- Linnette quickened her steps as she led
Mari across the tavern and into the kitchen, then towards the
back door that led into the stairwell and thence to her
office, where there was paper- an essential ingredient to this
critical project.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:54 pm
Nolan


Merlin was running late, they should have been gone before
now. It was too dangerous to stay in this spot without knowing
if Arthur was returning. They had no way of knowing how much
time they had to get everyone, including the sick and wounded,
back to the village.

Nolan looked over at the group that had assembled for the
burial party. Various other clusters of people were busy tying
up bundles and pouring water on smouldering embers. Juna
walked the area with her medical supplies checking the sick
and injured. Or the dead if they hadn't made it through the
cold night.

Rosita was with the burial group. Nolan took in the dark
beauty with the olive skin. She'd done well that morning in
gathering food. She was a mighty hunter and a good bow. He was
glad to see her with the group just in case they ran into
trouble along the way.

Nolan looked over at Smith standing next to that beast of his.
He was talking to Kayley. Nolan stooped down at one of the
remaining buckets and scooped up some of the cool water,
slurping it from his palm. Then he splashed some on his face.
He shook his shoulder, letting his quiver fall into his hand
and slide his blade further around his waist. It had been a
long night and Nolan hadn't slept much. He was still kicking
himself for letting Mona get that close to Merlin without
hearing her moving about. He was much better than that. He was
sure Merlin was disappointed in him. Nolan felt like he should
have killed Mona long ago when she first showed signs of
madness. He would make it up to the woad leader though.

Merlin was engaged in conversation with Ash but Nolan hadn't
really been listening. He looked Ash up and down and the young
warrior didn't look any worse for the wear. Nolan was glad Ash
had survived. He'd proven his bravery well by going back for
Eala.

"Ash," Nolan said when there was a break in the conversation,
"how are you? How are your injuries?"
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golden_trillium

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Author: Lancelot
Date: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:08 pm

Lancelot


Lancelot laughed darkly at Neeve's assesing look at his
battered form. He bowed self-depreciatingly as she spoke, and
yet...before, it had been just he and Arthur, and he hadn't
cared about his worn and dirty appearance. Now...gods forfend
he should fuck up the reputation he'd built due to not just
his ... prowess, but his physicality as well - after Eyla and
then Catherine...Lancelot's angular and bruised face reflected
the anger and confusion he'd been trying oh so very badly to
hide.

Neeve
 
It’s my job, First Knight…and the way I see it, I might
as well just go on with you…Besides…I just had a serious
word with the little Woad princess, too…and I hope she
got my point…”


He twisted his mouth wryly, and began to back out of the cell,
one more dirty man dulling the shine that was Arthur Castus...
resplendant in his Roman finery, outdoing them all. Especially
the little Woad bitch that dared to look tiny and worn.

Neeria
 
“Ah, dark knight, how lovely. We meet again. You came to
have breakfast with me then, did you?”


That little Woad bitch who also dared to speak to him.

"Not for all the sesterces in the garrison, my darling," he
shot back. "And you look worse than I do." His bloodshot gaze
caught Arthur's eyes. "Your call, commander."

Backing out of the cell, he faced Tristan, who seemed antsy
and none too happy the girl had seemed to realize he was
there, despite his staying hidden in the darker places of the
corridor. Lancelot smirked at the scout's expression of
horror, but did not say anything else to give Tristan away.

Tristan
 
"What's Arthur doing with her? Still keeping her?"


Lancelot's ire rose at that. Every sore place on his body
began to protest, the pain flaring brightly in this dimly lit
place. He moved closer to the scout and spoke in a low voice.
"You tell me, Tristan. You were there when you saw...him,"
Lancelot touched the pendant he wore around his neck; a reflex
when Merlin was mentioned. "The magician. What happened,
Tristan? What did that hawk nosed bastard do to fuck things up
so badly?" He tried to keep his voice down; he didn't want
Arthur to hear, but if he did, so be it. The commander knew
how Lancelot thought of the Optio.

A headache threatened, and Lancelot raised his hand, pinching
at the bridge of his nose. "Tell me, Tristan. Why I am
allowing him to ride out, a day and a night after his injury,
to seek peace with the blue demon that laughed when my fingers
were broken? Answer me that, scout." Lancelot turned burning
eyes on Tristan, but canted his neck back toward the cell when
a noise drew his attention. He stepped back a bit and frowned
when he noted that Neeria seemed to have collapsed against
Arthur's breastplate...and was she weeping?

Moving closer, Lancelot gripped the hilt of his sword and
spoke in a calm tone even as Arthur gently peeled the girl off
his chest. "Arthur. What say you let the...princess sit down,
of her own accord, hm?" He took another step, and did not
release his grip on the weapon.

Try it, girl. See how fast it gets you dead.
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Author: golden_trillium
Date: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:39 pm
Tristan


Lancelot
 
"You tell me, Tristan. You were there when you
saw...him. The magician. What happened, Tristan? What
did that hawk nosed bastard do to fuck things up so
badly? Tell me, Tristan. Why I am allowing him to ride
out, a day and a night after his injury, to seek peace
with the blue demon that laughed when my fingers were
broken? Answer me that, scout."


Answer him? Tristan had no answer for any of the much more
gregarious Lancelot's rhetorical questions, and very little
for the more serious ones, like how had Scipio fucked up,
either. Scipio had fucked up because he knew less than shit
about the Woads, that was what had happened. He had taken
entirely the wrong approach with them, and then Barbattus's
insubordination hadn't helped, but Tristan was at a loss how
to verbalize all that. It was all interactions that while the
scout might understand in his mind, he had little facility for
describing. He had to settle for an utterly exasperated roll
of his eyes instead, and a soft growl that neatly encompassed
everything about the whole situation- but which was cut off
when from the cell, Neeria's voice rose in a panic again,
screaming thankfully not his name, but some nonsense about
where would she go. Arthur's voice followed, authoritative yet
soothing- and once more, Tristan wished that their Commander
was not quite so damned noble to the useless enemy prisoners
he had lying about.

Lancelot
 
"Arthur. What say you let the...princess sit down, of
her own accord, hm?"


Sit down? Tristan edged forward, peering around the door,
until he too could see the scene being referred to. Neeria was
clutching at Arthur, who was tryng to hold her at arm's
length- reminding Tristan all too sharply of his own
disturbing experiences with the woman.

"For fuck's sake..." Tristan's hand, like Lancelot's, went to
the hilt of his own sword.

"Arthur, she does that to make you feel sorry for her. Did it
to me, too." To make that abrupt admission was galling, almost
as if he was admitting to having been physically hurt by the
helpless prisoner, but Tristan just wanted to ensure that
Arthur wouldn't fall for the woman's wiles- the Commander was,
unfortunately, a lot more susceptible to weeping women and
such like than either his First Knight or his Scout.
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Author: Darya
Date: Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:05 am
Neeve


Neeve was very aware of Lancelot and Tristan talking in low
voices two or three steps away from her, but the healer’s
attention and her piercing blue gaze was directed into the
stinky cell…at Arthur and especially at Neeria. Of course the
Commander was his gentle polite self…even with the person that
had managed to get THAT close to ending his life. Neeve
pressed her lips into a thin line and bowed her head slightly
as if staring at the dirty ground…but she never parted her
gaze from the two persons in the cell… She wasn’t sure if she
should admire the Commander for his patience with the Woad or
if she should ask him what on earth made him keep the person
that had tried to kill him alive…

Neeria
 
"What? I already took your men to Merlin! I kept my
promise! Now you ask me to betray him again? Why? And
when I tell you where he is once more and you set me
free, where will I go, Roman? Eh? Where will I go? For
Merlin will surely behead me! I am already a traitor in
his eyes! Where will I go?"


Neeria’s suddenly shrieking voice almost made Neeve jump. The
Briton’s head whipped up and she immediately found herself on
the verge of rushing forward to deal with the Woad once and
for all when Neeria suddenly clung to Arthur’s chest. Crying.
Again.

Blue eyes narrowed dangerously and glared daggers at the Woad
even when it became clear that Arthur could deal with the
small woman as he peeled her off his breast-plate again to
hold her at an arm’s length. Her mind already began to rush
through all the ways she knew of using herbs to get rid of
someone to make her…promise…to Neeria come true, when Lancelot
and Tristan showed up by her side, both men with their hands
on their weapons…ready to strike…

Lancelot
 
"Arthur. What say you let the...princess sit down, of
her own accord, hm?"


Tristan
 
"For fuck's sake... Arthur, she does that to make you
feel sorry for her. Did it to me, too."


“And to me…”, the raven-haired woman added with the earlier
chill back in her voice. Unconsciously, the healer’s free hand
had even come to rest on her belt where her small knife was
sheathed. The only 'weapon' she always had on her…though it
was more of a tool to her when cutting of fresh herbs was in
order. She knew of course, that there would be no need to use
it against Neeria with Tristan and Lancelot on high alert
should the Woad try to harm their Commander yet again…but
still… “Who knows what other malicious ideas Merlin has put
into this one’s mind…in case she fails with the original
plan…”, Neeve added, still annoyed about Neeria having dared
to call her 'sister'… She was nothing like the Woads. Nothing.
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Author: lady ione
Date: Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:52 am
Vanora


After Linnette and Saoisre had gone, Vanora busied herself
with wiping down the counter and trying to forget all of the
stupid ideas she had given to Linnette. No one that she knew
of at the fort was able to draw. Sure they could build, carve,
weave, work with metals and such, but she had never truly
heard of anyone with the talent to do art. Vanora liked to try
her hands at weaving and sewing much like her mother, but she
had always had that knack for cooking and such. Her mother had
thought it strange the her daughter was not that good at
weaving, sewing and such, but never really came out and said
much about it.

A wench came to the counter and requested four ales which
Vanora turned, drew and handed the filled mugs to the girl who
went off to deliver the order. Vanora had not really paid
attention to who had entered the tavern, but when she heard
familiar voices approaching the counter, she had to look up.

Her spirits lifted as she saw that Linnette had come back with
the young woman, Mari, and she noticed that Mari was carrying
a small stack of paper.

They were talking between each other, and to Vanora's pleasant
surprise, Linnette seemed to be in better spirits than when
she had left. Vanora watched as Linnette said a little more to
the other woman as she lead Mari past the counter toward the
kitchen with news that Vanora could not help but offer a
puzzled smile at....

Linnette
 
"Vanora- I found someone who can draw!"


"You did?...er...I mean you did?" The first question had come
out as one of puzzlement, but the second one came out as a
form of happiness. and a sharing of Linnette's excitement. But
before she could give a reply, the two were gone up to
Linnette's office. What in blazes had she heard? Did the young
lady, Mari, draw? This was interesting indeed, and one to keep
for future reference in case someone needed a drawing done.
Vanora knew of some who'd pay well for a good piece of art,
and it'd help the woman out financially. Not wanting to bother
the two, and so they could get about to their business without
her looking over their shoulders, Vanora decided to stay
behind the counter and wait on her customers.

Funny that she had not seen Bors yet this morning.

Usually, he was the first in the establishment not wanting to
miss out on his portion of the food. Was he feeling okay? And
where were the rest of the knights? Moving from behind the
counter, Vanora walked through the tavern to the window and
looked across the courtyard to the tavern where there seemed
to be a bit of a grouping.

She frowned.

The knights had just gotten back, and they were leaving again?
Not that it was unusual, but some had come back with serious
wounds that she knew had not healed.

She stood and watched the proceedings with some interest...
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Author: Darya
Date: Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:55 am
Darya


It seemed Jols had heard that his name had been mentioned for
the squire approached the two women with an expression in his
eyes that let Darya arch an eyebrow even before the older man
spoke. She just knew he was up to something…

Jols
 
"I guess that we now have a new title to call you by,
Darya."


“I dare you…”, the Sarmatian replied with a laughter and
smirked at Jols but abruptly became more serious again when
the hawk on her arm again flapped with its good wing and
flexed its claws briefly. Darya’s gaze immediately was back at
the bird and she watched it closely…making sure the animal was
alright…

Then Tatiana spoke again and Darya glanced at the girl from
the corner of her eyes for now…since she didn’t want to let
the hawk out of sight already…

Tatiana
 
"Darya..that's quite a lovely name. Yes, I suppose that
you could say that, if you haven't seen me before. I'm
originally from the village that's just on the outskirts
of Badon. Yes, I find it very exciting work, being with
the animals and all, although if it hadn't been for my
Father's kind intervention on my behalf with my Mother,
I really wouldn't be here at all."


The Sarmatian found herself wondering if Tatiana perhaps had
already met her two horses, Kahlan and Círdan, but that
thought soon gave way to a slight but honest amusement about
the girl’s excitement when she spoke of her work.

“Well, it seems you have already become quite acquainted to
the Fortress…”, Darya then said and tilted her head slightly,
“…though I take it that your mother is not too happy about
that? How come?”
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Author: Unicorn
Date: Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:25 pm
Dagonet


Dagonet watched her still with a frown upon his brow. He
didn't feel like stinking! Was he offended by her words? Maybe
a little. How could he smell like roses when he was just
laying in here, not allowed to get up and clean himself
properly?

She reached to his cheek and breathed out a small laugh. Then
Dagonet stirred a little as she kissed his cheek and breathed
in his scent, then shruging away with a smile.

Tall knight just observed her, but a frown faded away from his
face, a small smile appeared.

Saoirse
 
"If ye can't smell nothin' wrong wi' how yer clothes
stink of horse and blood then there's somethin' wrong
wi' yer nostrils, Dagonet."


He looked at the pointed area and frowned once more came to
his face. There was still blood stain upon his tunic and
breeches... Horse and blood?

Gods.. she was probably right. He just cleared his throat and
grunted geting hold on the bundle of food from her. He looked
away a little embarrassed by not noticing it earlier. He felt
her eyes upon him, watching carefully... but Dagonet was
looking at the food plainly. Took some of the bread and took
the bite of it thoughtlessly... Chewed it slowly not thinking
about anything in fact... when finally Saoirse's voice cut the
silence.

Saoirse
 
"Dagonet... ? Would ye think I'd make a good healer? Or
herbalist... or somethin' like tha'. I was readin' the
books Lavinia has inside the back there an'... It's
somethin' I think I could do."


The chewing stopped... Tall knight turned his head to look
upon his lover as she asked him the question. It came with
such surprise! Dagonet wouldn't even imagine Saoirse asking
him something like that.. but she did and he found himself
speechless for a moment.

Would she be a good healer... herbalist?

A smile spread over his face... a very encouraging smile. He
saw a blush upon her face and reached for her hand, squeezing
it gently...

"I think you would make an excelent healer, love. If you
really want it." he said sincerely. And he frowned a little
with a smile. "You've read something already?"

He was in fact curious why she wanted to do something like
that... but he felt it was not the moment to ask questions
only to encourage her if she really wanted this. He was
suprised by this, but in a very pleasent way in fact.
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